Lightning awareness - Overview for Colorado

June 22, 8:56 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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Lightning lights up the sky over Denver.

To help raise awareness of the danger lightning and wildland fires present to life and property in Colorado, as is customary, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has proclaimed this week Colorado Lightning Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week. 

Examiner.com will be posting the daily informational stories from the National Weather Service this week that discuss the issues these hazards present.  We also highly recommend everyone view our article, Severe Weather 101 - Lightning, which contains valuable information for everyone.  This is part one in the series from the National Weather Service.

• Monday...Lightning overview for Colorado
• Tuesday...The science of lightning
• Wednesday...Outdoor lightning safety
• Thursday...Indoor lightning safety
• Friday...Lightning medical issues for survivors
• Saturday...Lightning and wildfires

From the National Weather Service – Lightning Overview

June 21st through 27th has been designated as Colorado lightning safety and wildfire awareness week by Governor Bill Ritter.

In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud to ground lightning flashes each year and each one is a potential threat to life and property.  An average of 62 people are killed each year by lightning.  In 2008, 28 people were killed by lightning across the United States, hundreds of others were permanently injured.  Colorado and Florida had the misfortune of leading the nation in lightning deaths with four deaths each.  There were 10 documented lightning strike survivors in Colorado in 2008. 

During the past 20 years...on average...Colorado had three lightning deaths and 16 injuries.  In the united states during 2008...of the victims who were killed:

100 percent were outdoors...
79 percent were male...
36 percent were males from 20 to 25 years of age...
36 percent were standing underneath a tree...
36 percent occurred on or near the water...

Because it usually affects one or two victims at a time and it does not cause the destruction left in the wake of tornadoes or hurricanes, lightning generally receives much less attention. 

Many people do not act in a timely manner to protect their lives and property and the lives of others simply because they do not understand all the dangers associated with thunderstorms and lightning.

You need to become aware of the situations that put you at a greater risk of being struck by lightning and what you can do to reduce that risk. While nearly all people take some protective actions when rain, hail and wind are occurring with thunderstorms, many leave themselves vulnerable to being struck by lightning as thunderstorms approach, depart, or are nearby.  Lightning can strike 10 miles away or farther from the rain area of a thunderstorm.  That distance is about as far as you can hear thunder.  If you can hear thunder, you could be in danger of being struck by lightning.

Inside buildings, you must avoid activities which put your life at risk from a possible lightning strike. You should stay away from windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity well.  You may also want to take certain actions well before the storm threatens, in order to protect property, such as unplugging electronic equipment.

Also, in the unfortunate event that a person is struck by lightning, medical care may be needed immediately to save the life of the person.  Cardiac arrest and heart irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common when people are struck by lightning.  However, with proper treatment, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike, although the long term effects on their lives can be devastating.

Most lightning deaths and injuries occur during the afternoon and evening, when lightning is most likely to occur and when people are more likely to be outside.

The chance that you will be struck by lightning in the United States is about 1 in 700000 for each year of your life. However, your chance of being struck will depend on whether you consistently practice all the lightning safety rules.

Lightning starts around half of the forest and rangeland wildfires across the state.  Colorado averages around 2500 wildfires each year.  Many of these lightning caused fires occur with very little or no rain.  These storms often generate gusty winds, which can fan the flames of the fire. 

NOAAs National Weather Service provides daily fire weather forecasts during the warm season, and spot fire weather forecasts for those working prescribed burns and wildfires year around.

When planning outdoor activities, check out the hazardous weather outlook and the latest forecast, which include thunderstorm and lightning potential.  The web sites for National Weather Service offices which cover Colorado and issue these products are...

Denver/Boulder   http://weather.gov/Denver
Grand junction   http://weather.gov/gjt
Pueblo           http://weather.gov/pueblo
Goodland         http://weather.gov/goodland

For additional information about lightning or lightning safety, visit NOAAs lightning safety awareness web site at:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov 

Or the lightning web site of NOAAs National Weather Service in Pueblo at:

http://weather.gov/pub/ltg.php