Photo from: Florida Southwest River Water Management District
Tonight on the news was a story about 2 people struck by lightning – while sitting outside on metal chairs watching the afternoon thunderstorms pass by. (story from Local 6 here) The fact that they were “SITTING OUTSIDE IN METAL CHAIRS” just floored me. Florida has long been nicknamed the lightning capital of the United States. On average, 7 – 9 people per year are killed by lightning in the state.
Being a native Floridian, and Orlandoan, I have grown up in the Lightning State, er – I mean Sunshine State. I’m very afraid of lightning. I take it very seriously. I’m scared to death at the end of the work day having to walk the long distance outside to the parking lot holding a metal umbrella while dodging lightning bolts all over the place. Lightning is dangerous. The biggest rule to remember is seek shelter indoors when you see or hear lightning and thunder nearby. It’s that simple. Don’t think you can beat the odds because you’re special. And most of all, don’t sit outside watching the storms pass in a metal chair!
NASA Lightning Map (2001)
The maps show that Florida, for example, is one place where the rate of strikes is unusually high. Dennis Boccippio, an atmospheric scientist with the NSSTC lightning team, explains why: “Florida experiences two sea breezes: one from the east coast and one from the west coast.” The “push” between these two breezes forces ground air upward and triggers thunderstorms.
Hong Kong Lightning by David Roark
Holy Cow….those pictures are amazing! I sure can remember those lightning storms from when I lived there back in 1996.