Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >

Lightning...Nature's Fireworks

Lightning results from the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positive and negative charges. The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than the surface of the sun. The rapid heating and cooling of air near the lightning channel causes a shock wave which results in thunder.

Lightning will normally strike the highest object in an area. The highest object may be a tall tree, a boat on a lake, an antenna or a person standing in an open field. Lightning is also responsible for fires which have resulted in several hundred million dollars a year in damage and the loss of 2 million acres of forest.

Lightning is the one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths during an average year. Most casualties occur during the summer months in the afternoon and early evening. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors. A persons chance of being struck by lightning is approximately 1 in 600,000, but is greatly reduced by following safety precautions.

Want more? Visit the "Lightning Primer" page from NASA.

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