On 8/12/2015 3:02 PM, Jim Lux wrote:
On 8/12/15 9:04 AM, David Robbins wrote:
"It appears to me that there are no ways to predict where the
lightning will strike. Yes, you know that it will be somewhere below
a the thunder storm passing by but the strikes seem to ignore high
structures from not that high."
actually no, you don't know that it will be somewhere below the
thunderstorm. the large positive strokes often reach out quite a
distance from the cloud. This
is because they normally originate from the top of the cloud and come
out horizontally then down. these strokes are where the phrase 'bolt
from the blue' came from as they can appear to come out of clear blue
sky.
__
This phenomenon is a significant cause of the injuries and deaths from
lightning in Florida. 15-20km horizontal distance is not unusual.
Hence the guidance: If you see thunderstorms, get out of the water.
Visual horizon for 2m above the surface is 5km away.
_______________________________________________
The "anvil head" tops of the cumulonimbus storm clouds typical here in
FL are often above and behind the observer, relative to the visible
rain/lightning, and easily go un-noticed. If you can hear thunder, you
are/have been in danger.
Randy
KZ4RV
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