Binghamton, NY – As thunderstorm season ramps up across New York, meteorologists are reminding residents that lightning is one of the most dangerous weather threats and can strike far from where rain is falling.
According to the National Weather Service, lightning can reach temperatures of approximately 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it about five times hotter than the surface of the sun. The intense heat causes surrounding air to rapidly expand, creating the sound wave heard as thunder.
While many people associate lightning with heavy rain directly overhead, experts warn that lightning often strikes well away from a storm’s center. A bolt can travel several miles from the parent thunderstorm and strike when skies are only partly cloudy.
The National Weather Service recommends following one simple rule: “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
To reduce the risk of being struck by lightning in New York:
- Move inside a sturdy building immediately when thunder is heard.
- Avoid open fields, hilltops, beaches, and exposed locations.
- Stay away from isolated trees, metal fences, and utility poles.
- Get out of lakes, pools, rivers, and other bodies of water.
- Avoid using corded electrical devices and plumbing during a storm.
- If no shelter is available, avoid becoming the tallest object in the area.
Weather officials also advise waiting at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before returning outdoors.
Lightning kills dozens of people across the United States each year and injures hundreds more. Most victims are struck while participating in outdoor activities, including sports, hiking, boating, fishing, and yard work.
With thunderstorms expected periodically throughout the summer, New Yorkers are encouraged to monitor forecasts and have a plan to reach shelter quickly whenever storms approach.
