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Spring 2019: Lightning Social Media

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Social Media: Lightning Safety
#WeatherReady #LightningSafety #SpringSafety #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.

Lightning Types

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

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

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.

 

Lightning Mapper

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Did you know that GOES-16 (a satellite that orbits the Earth) 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. #GLM goes-r.gov/spacesegment/glm.html

Twitter
GOES-16 houses the first operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit. #GLM goes-r.gov/spacesegment/glm.html

The Geostationary Lightning Mapper: The first operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit. Provides critical information to forecasters, allowing them to focus on developing severe storms before they produce damaging winds, hail or tornadoes.

 

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 #LightningSafety #SpringSafety

Twitter
Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

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.

 

See a Flash, Dash Inside PSA

Facebook
A partnership between NOAA and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community has yielded a fresh safety campaign slogan to protect more people from lightning strikes this season. “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

Twitter
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!

 

Lightning Statistic

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20 people died last year due to lightning. Don’t become a statistic! When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

Twitter
20 people died last year due to lightning. Don’t become a statistic! When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

20 people died in 2018 due to lightning. Don't become a statisitc!

 

Boating Safety

Facebook
Thunderstorms can be a mariner's worst nightmare. They can develop quickly and can produce strong wind, pounding rain 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 #LightningSafety

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

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.

 

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 #LightningSafety #SpringSafety

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

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.

 

Learn About Lightning

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Lightning kills over 40 people a year on average in the United States. 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 #LightningSafety #SpringSafety

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

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?

 

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 #LightningSafety #SpringSafety

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

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

 

Lightning Infographic

Facebook
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 #LightningSafety #SpringSafety

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

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.

 

Lightning Do’s and Don’ts

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

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

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.

 

Safe Fishing

Facebook
Be aware of the dangers of lightning when going fishin.g. 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 weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

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

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.

 

See a Flash, Dash Inside!

Facebook
See a Flash, Dash Inside! Thunderstorms can 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 #LightningSafety #SeeAFlashDashInside

Twitter
Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety #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.

 

Camping

Facebook
Going camping? You are NOT safe from lightning in a tent. Find a sturdy building for shelter. If you can’t find one and are near your car, shelter in it with the windows up.
weather.gov/safety/lightning #SpringSafety

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

Going camping? Have alternate ways to receive weather alerts (NOAA Weather Radio or cell phone set to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts). Know where your shelter area is located.

 

Water-Related Lightning Fatalities

Facebook
Fishing is the number one water-related recreational activity for lightning strike fatalities.  When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

Twitter
Fishing is #1 water-related recreational activity for lightning deaths. www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov #LightningSafety

Lightning Fatalities - Water-Related Activities: Fishing-43% Beach-26% Boating-21% Swimming-9%. Based on 76 cases from 2006 through 2016

 

Lightning Fatalities by Activity

Facebook
63% of all lightning-related deaths occur when people are having fun outside. The number one recreational activity that people are taking part in when they are struck by lightning is fishing.  weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

Twitter
63% of all lightning-related deaths occur when people are having fun outside. weather.gov/safety/lightning #LightningSafety

Lightning Fatalities by Activity: Leisure-64% Daily Routine-16% Work-15% Unknown-5%