Good morning, Today's focus of severe weather awareness is Thunderstorms. Of course, you can't have a tornado unless you have a parent thunderstorm. Tornadoes are one dangerous aspect of thunderstorms. Another one being lightning which, on average, kills more people than tornadoes. The info below comes courtesy of the National Weather Service. They have given us permission to reproduce the information as a means to increase awareness.
"Lightning is one of nature's most awe inspiring and dangerous phenomenon. The average lightning flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than three months! The temperature of a lightning bolt may reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit which is hotter than the surface of the sun!
On average, lightning kills one person in Kansas and Missouri each year, and about 73 nationwide. Lightning remains one of the most deadly weather phenomena in the United States, and it can occur almost anywhere throughout the entire year.
Many people are injured or killed due to misinformation and inappropriate behavior during thunderstorms. A few simple precautions can reduce many of the dangers posed by lightning. Remember, Lightning Kills, Play it Safe!
AVOID being in or near:
High places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, baseball
dugouts, communication towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, convertibles, golf carts, water (ocean, lakes, swimming pools, rivers, etc.).
When inside a building AVOID:
Use of the telephone or computer, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc.
If driving:
Stay in your car! An enclosed automobile offers reasonably good protection from lightning, as long as you don't touch metal."
Have a great day, tomorrow wraps up Severe Weather Awareness Week. Tomorrow the focus is on Weather Radios.
On to the Snake Parade Forecast. The Snake Parade is Saturday, March 15th at 11:00am. Below is the 6z GFS which shows a rain/snow mix possibly lasting into the the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the upper 30s with blustery north winds.
The parade starts at 14th & Swift in the northland. The parade will go on no matter the weather. Of course, organizers are hoping for a nice day, but it is March 15th and you know what they say, "Beware the Ides of March"
Have a great Thursday,
Brett