Latest news with #thunderstormWatch
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe thunderstorm watch for 4 Massachusetts counties until Thursday night
On Thursday at 1:23 p.m. a severe thunderstorm watch was issued by the National Weather Service valid between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. in effect until 9 p.m. for Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties. Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away. To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations: Lightning safety plan: When venturing outdoors, it's crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place. Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it's a clear indication of nearby lightning. Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors. Indoors safety measures: Once you're indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors. These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways. Wait for the all-clear: After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities. It's important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution. When indoor shelter isn't available: If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety: Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk. Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees. If you're in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people. Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It's crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning. Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don't attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks. In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, vigilance and preparedness are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the chances of lightning-related accidents and prioritize your safety. When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards: Beware of rapid water flow: Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away. Maintain safe driving distances: Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain. Slow down and drive with care: If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid. Choose your lane wisely: Stick to the middle lanes on multi-lane roads to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, as water tends to accumulate in outer lanes. Prioritize visibility Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them. Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery. Keep a safe distance from large vehicles: Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely. Mind your windshield wipers: Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position. In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Storm Center PM Update: Storms Possible Monday; Cooler Tuesday
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — While we've had smoky skies over most of KELOLAND, we've still been able to get in on a warm day. It's little solace, considering we've also had to deal with poor air quality for a better part of the day. The good news is that we get a frontal boundary to come along by Monday to help sweep this smoke out of the region…so air quality is expected to improve as we head beyond the Monday outlook. The bad news is that we'll have to contend with showers and thunderstorms…especially in the second half of the day. Some of those storms may become strong to severe in central and eastern KELOLAND. A 'Slight Risk' for severe weather is in place for most of eastern and southeastern South Dakota, the Marshall and Luverne areas in Minnesota, and portions of northwestern Iowa. A 'Marginal Risk' surrounds that for areas around Mission, Redfield, Sisseton, and Worthington. Damaging gusts and large hail are the main concerns, though there's always a non-zero isolated tornado risk. Please stay weather aware. Showers and a storm or two may linger through the first half of the day on Tuesday to the east and southeast, while West River locations get in on a pretty quiet and pleasant day with cooler temperatures. The pattern flips on Wednesday, with a mainly quiet day East River and scattered showers moving back into the picture in central and western KELOLAND. Daily chances for showers and a storm or two on both sides of the river will return by Thursday and stick around through the first half of the weekend. While no day is a total wash-out, you'll want to watch and see if you need to bring an umbrella where you go. All the while, temperatures will be much closer to average as we head through the second half of the week and into next weekend. Beyond the 7 day forecast, odds for near to above average temperatures are favored West River, while we have better chances to remain near average to the east. Here's a look at your extended forecast: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
