Remember Lightning Safety When You're Outside This Summer

With summer officially beginning this week, the National Weather Service has made this week "Lightning Safety Awareness Week."  Lightning is an amazing, but dangerous phenomenon that kills an average of 55 people per year in the United States and permanently injures hundreds of others.  In the last 50 years, 128 people have been killed by lightning in Pennsylvania.  So far this year, five people have been killed in the United States due to lightning, including a 13-year-old boy from Lancaster County.  The National Weather Service compiles all of the deaths due to lightning and lists what people were doing when they were struck, which is valuable because it shows you what not to do when lightning strikes.  That information is available here: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/statistics.htm

So, keep these tips in mind when thunderstorms strike:

• When you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.  Lightning can strike out several miles from a thunderstorm.  Since you can hear thunder from lightning that hits several miles away, thunder is a good indicator that lightning is close.  When you hear that thunder, it's time to find shelter inside a building or a vehicle.
• Wait 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder before you go outside.  There have been many incidents of people being struck by lightning minutes after the thunder seemingly stopped.  Even in the minutes after a storm ends, there still could be a rogue strike of lightning behind the storm.  Waiting 30 minutes after the last thunder eliminates that risk.
• No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm.  If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm and there is no safe shelter available within close range, go to the lowest elevation possible and crouch down, minimizing your contact with the ground.  Do not lie flat on the ground.  Also, DO NOT seek shelter under trees and stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as light poles and power lines.
• Remember that you are NOT immune from lightning inside your house.  Lightning can travel through power lines, phone lines and water pipes and could electrocute you inside your home.  To avoid this risk, do not use showers, bathtubs or sinks.  Stay off of corded phones, computers and other objects that put you in direct contact with electricity.  Not only does it keep you safe, but it keeps your electronics safe.  Lightning strikes can damage electronics, and surge protectors do not protect your electronics from lightning strikes.

If you are going to be outside this summer, make sure you check the forecast beforehand to find out the likelihood of thunderstorms.  Remember that you can get the latest radar on your mobile phone right here on WeAreCentralPA.com and find out where the storms are at that moment.  If you can't do that, watch the sky throughout the day.  If you see billowing, dark clouds around, start to listen for thunder.  If you hear that thunder, it's time to head inside.

Stay safe out there this summer!

--Meteorologist Brian Thompson

As the Temps Soar, Let's Talk Heat Safety

Temperatures will once again find their way into the 90s across Central PA today and tomorrow.  Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, claiming an average of 162 lives per year.  That being said, tornado deaths will be #1 far and away this year, as we already have 525 deaths due to tornadoes this year, which is almost ten times the average.

With the heat being so dangerous, it's important to take the heat and humidity seriously.  Here's what you can do to stay safe in the heat:

• Limit your time outside - Stay out of the heat as much as possible, especially during the hottest time of the day, which is between about noon and 5:00pm.  Save strenuous outdoor activities for the morning or evening hours, or wait until the hot weather moves out of the area.
• Take frequent breaks - If you are outside, take frequent breaks and try to get in the shade or air conditioning if possible.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated  beverages - Water and sports drinks are the best way to stay hydrated in the heat, and you need to drink a lot more liquid on a hot, humid day because you're losing much more water due to perspiration.  Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, as they can hasten heat stroke or heat exhaustion. 
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing - Light-colored clothing is important on a hot, sunny day because darker colors absorb more light and will make you feel hotter.  If you wear white or a lighter color, the sun's light and energy is reflected away from your body, which will help keep you cooler.
• Try to find air conditioning - If you do not have air conditioning in your home, try to find a place to go during the hottest time of the day that does have air conditioning, such as a library or shopping mall.
• Recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke - 
• Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, thready pulse, cold, pale and clammy skin. A normal temperature is possible, along with fainting and vomiting.  
• If you see someone with heat exhaustion: Get victim out of sun. Once inside, the person should lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Offer sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
• Heat stroke symptoms include a very high body temperature (103° F or higher), hot dry skin, a rapid and strong pulse and possible unconsciousness.
•  If you see someone with heat stroke:  Get emergency medical assistance or get to a hospital immediately!  Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency, and a delay in medical attention could be fatal. While waiting for emergency assistance, move the victim to a cooler environment and reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution, remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
• Keep a close eye on the elderly - especially if they do not have air conditioning.
• Don't forget about pets - make sure pets have access to shade and plenty of water.  Bring them inside if possible.

Also, if you're going to be outside for a long period, don't forget the sunscreen to prevent sunburn!

Have fun in the warm weather, but remember to stay safe!

--Meteorologist Brian Thompson

Officially A Heatwave; And It's An Early One

In our area, we refer to a heat wave as three straight days where the mercury officially reaches 90 or above. Some spots did reach 90 for the third day in a row today, which marks the earliest we've seen a heatwave since 1996.

Heatwaves are sometimes hard to come by. In fact, 7 of the last 20 years did not have one by definition. Check out the summary of the heat waves since 1977 compiled by weather intern Jacqueline Layer.

Heat Waves from 1977-2010

Year	Dates of Heat Wave
2010	July 4-8
2009	None
2008	None
2007	Aug. 2-4
2006	Aug. 1-3
2005	Aug. 12-14
2004	None
2003	None
2002	July 2-4 July 21-23 July 28 – Aug. 4 Aug. 11-17
2001	July 23-25
2000	None
1999	July 3-6
1998	None
1997	July 13-15
1996	May 18-20
1995	July 13-15 Aug. 1-3 Aug. 14-17
1994	June 14-18
1993	Aug. 26-28
1992	None
1991	July 18-23
1990	None
1989	None
1988	July 6-10 July 14-18 Aug. 10-15
1987	July 20-23
1986	None
1985	July 13-15
1984	July 7-13
1983	None
1982	None
1981	None
1980	None
1979	None
1978	None
1977	None

Earth Guage Tip - Smart Energy Savings

With the recent heat, many have used the fans and air conditions which means using more electricity. The average family in the United States spends about 1,900 dollars each year on home utility bills. Heating and cooling systems account for nearly half of those costs.

No matter how you cool and ventilate your home, there are easy ways to save energy and stay comfortable as the temperature rises.

• If you have an outside air conditioning unit, keep it cool by shading it with trees or shrubs. This will increase the air conditioner’s efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
• Use ceiling fans to supplement air conditioning. Circulating cool air with a ceiling fan can allow you to raise the thermostat by as much as four degrees, reducing the amount of time your air conditioning system runs.
• Close blinds and curtains closed during the day to keep heat from sun out of your home.

(Sources: The Ocean Project, www.theoceanproject.org; U.S. Department of Energy, www.energy.gov)

When it comes to utilities, the average U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills! And most of that is wasted energy. For a single home, more carbon dioxide is emitted into the air by fossil fuels for generating electricity than two average cars each year. Take some simple steps and start making changes today! Viewer Tips: Use these easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy: · If you have an outside air conditioning unit, keep it cool by shading it with trees or shrubs. This will increase the AC’s efficiency by as much as 10 percent. · Save money and energy by installing and/or using ceiling fans. When running ceiling fans in the summer, it can allow you to raise your air conditioner temperature by as much as four degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the system to not run as long and hard and reducing energy. · Save energy by drying your clothes outside on nice weather days. If you must use your dryer, clean the filter thoroughly after each load and don’t waste time and energy over drying clothes.