Lightning killed a man on Wednesday, the first day of the month thataverages the most lightning deaths across the United States. The Cape Cod Timesreported the man was boating on Little Pleasant Bay off Cape Cod, Mass., whenthe lightning struck. Five other people survived lightning strikes across theEast Coast on Wednesday.Why play lightning roulette? You wouldn't do that with a gun. Why do it withthe heavens? Make no mistake, lightning is dangerous. Don't get yourself zappedthis 4th of July weekend. Outdoors, there is no really safe place to be, butopen areas near a tall object are the most dangerous. A car is a reasonablysafe place during lightning, but indoors away from open windows is best. By theway, lightning will strike the same place twice.
Also consider this. It is the lightning that kills and not the raindrops.
How many times have you been witness to the situation where lightning isstriking all over the place, yet no one leaves the golf course or ball field?Why? Because the people are waiting until it rains before heading for shelter.
That's too late, folks. Lightning often strikes well out from the main rainshaft of the storm. Did you know that the greatest percentage of lightningdeaths occur when it is not raining? On average, more thunderstorms occur in July than any other month. This isdue to the tremendous buildup of heat and humidity in the lower portions of theatmosphere. It follows that the most lightning deaths also occur in July.
Furthermore, Florida ranks number one in this category.
Story by AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet.
