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Social Media: Lightning Safety (Spring)
#WeatherReady #SeeAFlashDashInside

 

Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

One Strike, You're Out

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Lightning strikes can result in death or serious injury. If you hear thunder or see lightning, take shelter in an enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up. weather.gov

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Lightning strikes can result in death or serious injury. If you hear thunder or see lightning, take shelter in an enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up. weather.gov
#WeatherReady

One Strike, You're Out. When thunder roars, go indoors. Pictured: lightning striking near a baseball field.

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Chances of being struck by lightning

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Each year in the United States, thunderstorms produce 20-25 million lightning flashes that strike the ground, killing an average of 20+ people and injuring hundreds more - often in devastating and permanent ways. weather.gov

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Each year in the United States, thunderstorms produce 20-25 million lightning flashes that strike the ground, killing an average of 20+ people and injuring hundreds more - often in devastating and permanent ways. weather.gov

Your chance of being struck by lightning greatly increases when remaining outdoors during a thunderstorm. Lightning can strike from up to 10 miles away. Some of the activities people were doing when they were recently struck by lightning include golfing, boating, running, grilling, walking, construction, riding, gardening, and swimming. When thunder roars, go indoors! See a flash, dash inside!

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The Geostationary Lightning Mapper

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Did you know that weather satellite GOES-16 houses the very first operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit? GLM measures total lightning (in-cloud, cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground) activity continuously over the Americas and adjacent ocean regions with near-uniform spatial resolution of approximately 10 km.
When used in conjunction with radar data, GLM trends allow forecasters to make warning decisions earlier and more confidently.
goes-r.gov/spacesegment/glm.html

Twitter
Did you know that weather satellite GOES-16 houses the first operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit? The data provided helps forecasters make potentially life-saving decisions. goes-r.gov/spacesegment/glm.html

The Geostationary Lightning Mapper. GLM measurements help the weather, aviation, disaster prep, and fire communities with early warning of lightning strikes, identifying storm intensity, tornado lead times and false alarm reduction, and detection of heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

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Your Safe Place from Lightning

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Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. You are safest indoors or inside a hard-topped enclosed vehicle. Stay Weather-Ready and learn more about lightning safety: weather.gov/safety/lightning

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Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. You are safest indoors or inside a hard-topped enclosed vehicle. Stay #WeatherReady and learn more about lightning safety: weather.gov/safety/lightning

Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. You are safest indoors, or inside a hard-topped and enclosed vehicle. If you hear thunder or see lightning, take shelter immediately!

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Outdoor Lightning Safety

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NO place outside is safe during a thunderstorm.
That includes under a tree! Watch this to learn about outdoor lightning safety: youtu.be/p4V1eFa1vxw

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NO place outside is safe during a thunderstorm.
That includes under a tree! Watch this to learn about outdoor lightning safety: youtu.be/p4V1eFa1vxw

Science of Lightning (Video)

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You already know to take shelter as soon as you hear thunder or see lightning--but have you ever wondered why lightning and thunder happen in the first place? Watch this video for a quick #science lesson. youtu.be/Zd-Lc1cZDtA

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You already know to take shelter as soon as you hear thunder or see lightning--but have you ever wondered why lightning and thunder happen in the first place? Watch this video for a quick #science lesson. youtu.be/Zd-Lc1cZDtA

Survivor Story: Boating

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“I need to breath, I can’t give up, I need to breathe.” Nathalie survived, but boating and lightning can be a deadly combination. Check the forecast before you go out, and head to shore at the first sign of a storm. weather.gov/safety/lightning

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“I need to breath, I can’t give up, I need to breathe.” Nathalie survived, but boating and lightning can be a deadly combination. Check the forecast before you go out, and head to shore at the first sign of a storm. weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

I need to breathe, I can't give up, I need to breathe. Quote by Nathalie, Boston, MA. Struck by lightning while on a boat in the bay.

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Lightning Temperature

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Did you know that lightning is hotter than the surface of the Sun? Stay Weather-Ready and learn about lightning science at weather.gov/safety/lightning-science

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Did you know that lightning is hotter than the surface of the Sun? Stay #WeatherReady and learn about #LightningScience at weather.gov/safety/lightning-science

Lightning is hotten than the surface of the Sun and can reach temperatures around 50,000 degrees F. When Thunder Roars Go Indoors!

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Lightning Types

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Did you know there are many different kinds of lightning? Learn all about them in the graphic below or by visiting nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/lightning/types/

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Did you know there are many different kinds of lightning? Learn all about them in the graphic below or by visiting nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/lightning/types/ #WeatherReady

Lightning Types: In cloud-to-ground lightning (CG), a stepped leader, will zigzag downward in roughly 50-yard segments in a forked pattern. This stepped leader is invisible to the human eye. A return stroke of bright luminosity travels about 60,000 miles per second back towards the cloud. A flash consists of one or perhaps as many as 20 return strokes. Cloud flashes sometimes have visible channels that extend out into the air around the storm but do not strike the ground, known as cloud-to-air (CA). The terms sheet lightning or intra-cloud lightning (IC) refers to lightning embedded within a cloud that lights up as a sheet of luminosity during the flash. Lightning can also travel from cloud-to-cloud (CC). Large thunderstorms are capable of producing other kinds of electrical phenomena called transient luminous events (TLEs) that occur high in the atmosphere. They are rarely observed visually and not well understood. The most common TLEs include red sprites, blue jets, and elves. Ball lightning is a rare and randomly occurring bright ball of light observed floating or moving through the atmosphere close to the ground. Observations have widely varying identifying characteristics for ball lightning, but the most common description is that of a sphere having a radius of 15–50 cm, orange or reddish in color, and lasting for only a few seconds.

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When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

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Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times each year! Thunderstorms produce deadly lightning capable of striking up to 10 miles away from the storm — so, even if you don't see rain you could be in harm’s way. Remember this simple message: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! STOP all outdoor activities. Seek shelter in a building or hard-topped vehicle. Wait 30 minutes after you last hear thunder to resume activities.

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See a Flash, Dash Inside!

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See a Flash, Dash Inside! Thunderstorms produce deadly lightning capable of striking up to 10 miles away from the storm — so, even if you don't see rain you could be in harm’s way. Remember this simple message: See a Flash, Dash Inside! weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. Remember this simple message: See a Flash, Dash Inside!weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady #SeeAFlashDashInside

See a Flash, Dash Inside! STOP all activities. Seek shelter in a building or hard-topped vehicle. Wait 30 minutes after the storm to resume activities.

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See a Flash, Dash Inside PSA

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A partnership between NOAA and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community yielded a safety campaign slogan to protect more people from lightning each year. “See a Flash, Dash Inside!” At the first sight of lightning, take shelter immediately. noaa.gov/stories/see-flash-dash-inside-new-lightning-safety-slogan-rolls-out #LightningSafety #SeeAFlashDashInside

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See a Flash, Dash Inside!  noaa.gov/stories/see-flash-dash-inside-new-lightning-safety-slogan-rolls-out #LightningSafety #SeeAFlashDashInside

See a Flash, Dash Inside!

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Lightning Infographic

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Most lightning-related deaths occur when people are having fun outside. If you hear thunder or see lightning, immediately seek shelter in an enclosed building or vehicle. Remember, When Thunder Roars Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

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Most lightning-related deaths occur when people are having fun outside. When Thunder Roars Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

When Thunder Roars Go Indoors! Lightning Fatalities for Outdoor Sports: Soccer-40% Golf-27% Running-17% Baseball-10% Football-3% Other-3%. Step 1: Leave the field immediately. Step 2: Seek shelter in an enclosed building or car (windows up). Wait 30 minutes after hearing thunder to return outside.

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Safe Fishing

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Be aware of the dangers of lightning when going fishing. A lightning strike to a vessel can be destructive, especially if it results in a fire or loss of electronics. Boaters should use extra caution when thunderstorm conditions exist and have a plan of escape. weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
Be aware of the dangers of lightning when going fishing.  weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

Safe Fishing: Understand the dangers of lightning. There are no specific warnings or advisories for lightning but all thunderstorms produce lightning. A lightning strike to a vessel can be catastrophic, especially if it results in a fire or loss of electronics. Boaters should use extra caution when thunderstorm conditions exist and have a plan of escape.

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Safety at Sporting Events

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Whether you’re attending a little league baseball game or a professional sporting event, the same rule applies: When Thunder Roars Go Indoors! It is never safe to be outside when lightning is in the area. weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
Whether playing or watching sports outdoors, When Thunder Roars Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

Lightning means game over. If you're at an outdoor sporting even... When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

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Lightning Do’s and Don’ts

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Learn what to do, and what not to do, when it comes to lightning.  weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
Learn what to do, and what not to do, when it comes to lightning.  weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

Lightning Do's and Don'ts. DO: Go inside when you hear thunder! Find a sturdy house, building, or car with a roof. Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder. DON'T: Retreat to dugouts, sheds, pavilions, picnic shelters or other small structures. Use or touch electronics, outlets, corded phones or windows. Go under or near tall treesd, swim or be near water, stand near metal objects.

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Lightning Statistic
 

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13 people died in 2023 due to lightning. Don’t become a statistic!  When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning

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13 people died in 2023 due to lightning. Don’t become a statistic!  When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

Pictured: Lightning bolts. Text: 19 people died in 2023 due to lightning. Don’t become a statistic!

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Boating Safety

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Thunderstorms can be a mariner's worst nightmare. They can develop quickly and can produce strong wind, pounding rain, damaging hail, and deadly lightning. If you see clouds starting to pile up, thunderstorms are likely beginning to develop. Don’t wait until you hear thunder or see lightning. It’s best to head to port or safe shelter at the first sign of a developing storm. weather.gov/safety/safeboating-during

Twitter
Boaters: When storms start to form, head to port or safe shelter immediately! weather.gov/safety/safeboating-during #WeatherReady

Get to safety if the weather looks threatening. Thunderstorms pose a hazard to mariners. They bring dangerous wind and lightning. Head to land at the first sign of a storm.

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Beach Lightning

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Whether you’re spending the day at the beach or an afternoon at the pool, at the first sign of a storm, you should gather your things and seek shelter. By the time you hear thunder or see lightning, you’re already in danger. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
By the time you hear thunder or see lightning, you’re already in danger. weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

Lightning is deadly. Thunderstorms are especially dangerous for people at the beach. Lightning can strike several miles away from the storm. Head inside at the first sign of bad weather.

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Learn About Lightning

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Lightning kills over 20 people a year on average in the United States, and injures hundreds more. It is also one of the least understood weather phenomena. Get a more detailed look at the science behind one of nature's most underrated killers. weather.gov/safety/lightning-science #WeatherReady

Twitter
Discover the science behind lightning. weather.gov/safety/lightning-science #WeatherReady

Learn About Lightning: What causes lightning? Can it strike in the same place twice? Am I safe in a car? Am I safe under a tree?

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Camping

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Going camping? You are NOT safe from lightning in a tent. Avoid standing under trees. Find a sturdy building for shelter. If you can’t find one and are near your hard-topped vehicle, shelter in it with the windows up.
weather.gov/safety/lightning

Twitter
Camping? Know where to shelter during a thunderstorm. weather.gov/safety/lightning #WeatherReady

Camping Safety - preparing for weather: Know your weather forecast. Notify family/friends of your plans. Have an evacuation plan, know where and how fast you can find shelter. Pack a safety kit and weather radio.

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