If you are too far to run to one of these options, you have no good alternative. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Lightning often strikes in the same place multiple times, particularly if the site is a tall, pointed structure such as the Empire State Building, which is struck by lightning around 100 times a year. (NOAA National Weather Service) There is no evidence or reasoning to support why lightning would not be able to strike the same place twice. Don't lean on doors during a thunderstorm. Please sign in to access member exclusive content. Myth #5 – A car's rubber tires will protect you from lightning. At any given time on our planet Earth, there are 1,800 thunderstorms in progress—and with them comes lightning. Lightning is a random act of nature that can strike at any time of the year, most often during summer months. There is a type of lightning which is known as Positive Giant. Interesting Lightning Facts: 6-10. Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning. Myth #9 – A house will always keep you safe from lightning. Fact: Crouching doesn't make you any safer outdoors. Fact: The human body does not store electricity. During a thunderstorm, it's best to take shelter in a house, other structure or a hard-topped, fully enclosed vehicle. In fact, it is very often recorded that lightning has struck the same place more than once. TRUE . Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground. Run to a substantial building or hard topped vehicle. Myth #4 – If you don't see rain or clouds, you're safe. Fact: Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. Our lightning protection company has the facts for you. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes. Upgrade your skills with our online Wilderness First Aid Basics class! Myth: Structures with metal, or metal on the body (jewelry, cell phones,Mp3 players, watches, etc), attract lightning. Tests carried out in the US and Japan verify this finding in at least half of negative flashes and more than 70% of positive flashes. Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. Myth: If trapped outside and lightning is about to strike, I should lie flat on the ground. Fact: Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough. Next steps links: Learn more about protecting your home against lightning damage. Do not wait until a thunderstorm is immediately overhead and for rain to begin to act. But as one of these options may not be available to you, your safety and wellbeing may depend on knowing the difference between these lightning myths and the facts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year. Lightning Causes Forest Fires. Fact: Old data said successive flashes were on the order of 3-4 km apart. Questions? There are many myths surrounding lightning, but since lightning can be deadly, it is important to know the facts. Yes, smoke and carbon micro-particles, when introduced into the upper atmosphere, can become the initiators of static. Proceedings 1998 Int'l Lightning Protection Conference, Birmingham UK, Sept. 1998. Property damage from lightning is covered by standard homeowners insurance for your home, and the comprehensive portion of an auto policy for your car—but bodily harm from lightning isn't easily remedied. Myth: If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside playing a game, it is okay to finish it before seeking shelter. A High Percentage of Lightning Flashes Are Forked. This Currier & Ives lithograph shows Benjamin Franklin and his son William using a kite and key during a storm to prove… This type of lightning is known for hitting ground at a distance of 20 miles from the storm. Seek proper shelter immediately if you hear thunder. MYTH #1: If you don’t see rain or clouds, you’re safe. While metal does not attract lightning, it does conduct it so stay away from metal fences, railing, bleachers, etc. FALSE. Source: Separation Between Successive Lightning Flashes in Different Storms Systems: 1998, Lopez & Holle, from Proceedings 1998 Intl Lightning Detection Conference, Tucson AZ, November 1998. Mountains are made of stone but get struck by lightning many times a year. Lightning Can’t Strike You If There Aren’t Any Clouds Overhead. LI Myths and Facts | NYC Protection Lightning. Many lightning detectors cannot acquire accurate information about these multiple ground lightning attachments. Knowing the myths and facts about lightning's behavior can save your life. So too can dust in an enclosed grain elevator create a static discharge. National Weather Service If you're stuck in a thunderstorm, being under a tree is better than no shelter at all. Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it’s a tall, pointy, isolated object. Better to get wet than fried! One myth that has been around for many years is that lightning never strikes in the same place twice, but this is not true. Safety1325 East West HighwaySilver Spring, MD 20910Comments? (National Lightning Safety Institute). Fact: Not true. 1. Myth #6 – If you're outside in a storm, lie flat on the ground. If you touch them, you’ll be electrocuted. Fiction. Myth - This is one of the oldest and most well-known lightning myths. Lightning Myths: Knowing the Difference can Save a Life Lightning Facts. Busted: 4 Lightning Myths. Please Contact Us. New data shows half the flashes are about 9 km apart. Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object. Myth: A High Percentage of Lightning Flashes Are Forked. Lightning will take the path of least resistance to the ground, and a tall isolated object such as a tree or pole can make a great conductor for the electricity. US Dept of Commerce The speed of lightning. Myth #1 – Lightning never strikes twice in the same place. In the past, 3 to 5 km (2-3 miles) was as used in lightning safety education." Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Myth: Using a land-line phone in a lightning storm is dangerous! Fact: Radial horizontal arcing has been measured at least 20 m. from the point where lightning hits ground. Lightning Can Spread out Some 60 Feet After Striking Earth. Fact: Many cloud-to-ground lightning flashes have forked or multiple attachment points to earth. Myth #8 – Wearing metal on your body attracts lightning. Adults are responsible for the safety of children. Lightning strikes injure over 240,000 people each year across the world and ranks in the top 3 for... 5 Common Lightning Myths. Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. But much of what we think we know about lightning is fiction. While the flashes we see as a result of a lightning strike travel at the speed of light (670,000,000 mph) an actual lightning strike travels at a comparatively gentile 270,000 mph. Recent reports (Orville, et al) show the Houston TX petrochemical industry, discharging copious amounts of hydrocarbons into the upper atmosphere, may be responsible for higher-than-normal lightning activity in that area. According to Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center, up to 100-km flashes. Also, a myth is structures with metal, or metal on the body (such as jewelry, cell phones, watches, etc. Learn to conquer common problems and handle emergencies with grace. We take a look at ten interesting facts that you might not know about lightning. 6. Fact: Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. “Bolt from the blue” lightning can strike some 10 to 15 miles from the thunderstorm. Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning. When lightning threatens, take proper protective action immediately by seeking a safe shelter – don’t waste time removing metal. See our safety page for tips that may slightly reduce your risk. You are NOT safe anywhere outdoors. Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a year. How far can you see lightning? 4) Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. Myth #7 – If you touch a lightning victim, you'll be electrocuted. Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Myth #10 – Surge suppressors can protect a home against lightning. Can Forest Fires Cause Lightning? The late 90's Mexican forest fires resulted in unusual lightning activity in the USA High Plains area (Lyons, et al.) “When thunder roars, go indoors!” is a truism that actually holds up. Fact: Lying flat increases your chance of being affected by potentially deadly ground current. Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning. Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning. Myth: Lightning Can Spread out Some 60 Feet After Striking Earth. 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