Todays topic will be lightning.

Lightning occurs with all thunderstorms and is one of the greatest dangers we face in North Carolina through the spring and summer.  Over the course of one year, the earth will be struck by lightning nearly 20 million times.  Nationwide...lightning is responsible for at least 80 fatalities along with at least 300 injuries every year.

Lightning results from the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charged areas.  A thunderstorm will build up a huge electrical charge as ice particles generate friction as they collide in the updrafts and downdrafts of the storm.  Once the charge is strong enough to travel from the cloud to the ground, a lightning flash is created. A lightning bolt carries as much as 300000 amperes and one billion volts. The air around the lightning strike is instantly heated to 50,000 degrees.  This is five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This instantaneous heating of air causes the air molecules to explosively  expand. This occurs so rapidly it compresses the air forming a shock wave similar to a sonic boom. The shock wave travels through the atmosphere...resulting in thunder. The acoustic shockwave near the lightning strike is strong enough to rupture the eardrums of those standing nearby.

You can count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the clap of thunder to determine how far away the lightning occurred.  Once you see lightning...start counting seconds.  For every 5 seconds that go by before you hear the clap of thunder... That’s one mile. Keep in mind this technique only tells you how far away that one lightning strike was from your location. The next one
Could be a lot closer. Lightning can travel as far as 10 to 12 miles from a thunderstorm. For that reason, anytime you hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter indoors.

Most lightning fatalities occur when people are caught outside during the spring and summer months.  Because of the abundance of outdoor activities in North Carolina...we are especially vulnerable to lightning.  If outside...move indoors if possible.  Stay off of the telephone and stay away from windows.  If caught outdoors, stay away from trees, telephone poles, and other tall
Objects.  When boating...try to seek safe shelter before the storm approaches. Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.  This should guarantee your safety.

More information about lightning can be found by visiting...
Http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov
Http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream