Heatwave and lightning safety

There is a lot of talk in the news today about the heatwave in the UK. Indeed, 32 degrees is very hot (90 F), and can be quite uncomfortable. The Met Office have issued special advice on what to do and what not to do under these conditions. Have a look behind the link above - please bear in mind that this link will be removed once the heatwave is over, likely to be on July 6th.

Just to make the point as well that temperatures in my neck of the woods are nowhere near tropical. As I've indicated in my blog entry, it got no higher than 17C / 63F today on account of a cold on-shore northeasterly wind. The only thing to watch out for is the sun - particularly when the wind blows, you can get burned and not notice it.

Those actually experiencing the tropical conditions - take care, drink plenty of plain old water and stay as cool as you can. If you go out in the sun, slap on plenty of factor 25 and remember that the seawater temperatures are still quite cold.

THUNDERSTORM SAFETY
Beware of thunderstorms, as these are likely to be heavy and torrential. If you encounter a flood in your car, do not attempt to drive through it. It may seem shallow - but for all you know it may be 6 feet deep and swamp your vehicle.

If your car gets struck by lightning, do not touch any metal objects and stay in the car. Drive your vehicle gently against a bare-metal object to discharge any static electricity still left on the vehicle following the strike. If you do not have metal bumpers, the wings may have to be the point of discharge.

When you're out and about, it is easy to spot the approach of a storm. If you are unable to gain shelter and a lightning storm starts, crouch down with your feet slightly apart, NOT wide apart. Seek the lowest point available, a ditch, a hollow but NEVER under a tree or other high object that will attract lightning.

When you're at home and a thunderstorm starts, disconnect telephone and Internet connections. A few weeks ago, a village in Western Scotland was struck by a violent thunderstorm and one bolt of lightning hit a group of houses through the telephone wires. It fried their telephones and computers.

If you want to know how distant the lightning discharge is, count slowly (like twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three etc.) from the lightning until you hear thunder. Sound travels at a speed of 300 metres / yards per second.

Those in the USA will be only too aware of the possibility that thunderstorms can trail tornadoes; the UK has a surprisingly high number of tornadoes each year, although not of the ferocity as seen in the USA. Severe storms can also bring hail.

Stay safe.