'Most prevalent threat': Tips for staying safe in thunderstorms
With summer here, many Manitobans will be spending time outside taking part in activities such as swimming, gardening and camping. However, with more time spent outside comes weather-related risks, with one of the biggest dangers being lightning.
Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, explained that lightning is the discharge of a huge amount of current that comes out of a thunderstorm.
“It is the most common, most prevalent threat that we face in the summer,” Hasell said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Monday.
“We get thousands and thousands of thunderstorms in Manitoba, across the Prairies pretty much every year.”
The meteorologist noted that it’s important for people to pay attention to the forecast, as a thunderstorm can form in as little as 20 minutes if the conditions are right.”
“Every thunderstorm is defined by lightning. Every thunderstorm is therefore dangerous even if there isn’t an alert or a severe thunderstorm watch or a severe thunderstorm warning.” Hasell said.
Hasell warned that lightning can cause damage, injury and even death, which is why it’s important to take the necessary precautions.
For those who are in the city during a thunderstorm, it’s best to seek shelter in a well-constructed building.
“[A building] with electrical, with plumbing,” Hasell explained.
“But you don’t want to interact with those things since all of those things can conduct electricity, so you don’t want to be playing with that.”
Anyone who is outdoors should try to get to a low-lying area, because you don’t want to be the tallest object in the region.
“It won’t reduce your risk to nothing, because lightning hits where it hits, it doesn’t necessarily only hit the tallest objects around,” the meteorologist said, adding that it’s also good to avoid metal fencing and to get off the water unless you’re on a boat with a grounding plate.
As for whether vehicles are appropriate shelter, Hasell said it depends on what the car is made of.
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'Ready to go': Fort McMurray residents prepared for evacuation as crews battle nearby wildfire
An evacuation alert remains in place in the Fort McMurray area on Monday afternoon.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.