Hi all. You might have heard about the lightning-caused death of a German visitor to Bryce Canyon NP this week. He had taken shelter underneath a tree when it began to rain and as he leaned against the tree lightning struck, using his body as the path of least resistance. He was not pronounced dead until later, but apparently he was immediately made brain dead by the lightning. I tell you all this as a reminder to be particularly aware of the weather and your options for shelter when you go to the hills to observe. I've been a little freaked out by the incident and I've been ultra cautious as a result. Hope you'll all be safe. Kim
Thanks, Kim. The rangers at Bryce were worried about lightning too, giving lectures on rules about getting off the field. There's a "30-second rule," which -- if I remember correctly -- states that if thunder hits within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, get out of there. Maybe another of the group can elaborate on the rule, because I'm not sure I got it right. I think there might be another component to it too -- Joe ________________________________ From: Kim <kimharch@cut.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 1:15 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Weather safety Hi all. You might have heard about the lightning-caused death of a German visitor to Bryce Canyon NP this week. He had taken shelter underneath a tree when it began to rain and as he leaned against the tree lightning struck, using his body as the path of least resistance. He was not pronounced dead until later, but apparently he was immediately made brain dead by the lightning. I tell you all this as a reminder to be particularly aware of the weather and your options for shelter when you go to the hills to observe. I've been a little freaked out by the incident and I've been ultra cautious as a result. Hope you'll all be safe. Kim _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
While visiting Island in the Sky we stopped by Mesa Arch and visited with a volunteer ranger. While driving back we learned that she was struck by lightning and killed.
My experience with lightning is that it come come so quickly you may have no chance to get to cover quickly enough. If your hair stands on end, hit the dirt. Thanks, Kim. The rangers at Bryce were worried about lightning too, giving
lectures on rules about getting off the field. There's a "30-second rule," which -- if I remember correctly -- states that if thunder hits within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, get out of there. Maybe another of the group can elaborate on the rule, because I'm not sure I got it right. I think there might be another component to it too -- Joe
________________________________ From: Kim <kimharch@cut.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 1:15 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Weather safety
Hi all. You might have heard about the lightning-caused death of a German visitor to Bryce Canyon NP this week. He had taken shelter underneath a tree when it began to rain and as he leaned against the tree lightning struck, using his body as the path of least resistance. He was not pronounced dead until later, but apparently he was immediately made brain dead by the lightning.
I tell you all this as a reminder to be particularly aware of the weather and your options for shelter when you go to the hills to observe. I've been a little freaked out by the incident and I've been ultra cautious as a result. Hope you'll all be safe.
Kim
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php
The "30-30" rule: If you hear the thunder within 30 seconds of the flash, SEEK SHELTER and stay put until at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash. Weather hear (and at other high elevations) can change so suddenly that 30 seconds may not give you enough time. Maybe the rule should be 60-30, or 60-60. The storm on Thursday rolled in very fast, with little warning. I'm certainly taking the rules more seriously now. Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 2:35 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Weather safety Thanks, Kim. The rangers at Bryce were worried about lightning too, giving lectures on rules about getting off the field. There's a "30-second rule," which -- if I remember correctly -- states that if thunder hits within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, get out of there. Maybe another of the group can elaborate on the rule, because I'm not sure I got it right. I think there might be another component to it too -- Joe ________________________________ From: Kim <kimharch@cut.net> To: 'Utah Astronomy' <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 1:15 PM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Weather safety Hi all. You might have heard about the lightning-caused death of a German visitor to Bryce Canyon NP this week. He had taken shelter underneath a tree when it began to rain and as he leaned against the tree lightning struck, using his body as the path of least resistance. He was not pronounced dead until later, but apparently he was immediately made brain dead by the lightning. I tell you all this as a reminder to be particularly aware of the weather and your options for shelter when you go to the hills to observe. I've been a little freaked out by the incident and I've been ultra cautious as a result. Hope you'll all be safe. Kim _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1392 / Virus Database: 1520/3846 - Release Date: 08/20/11
participants (3)
-
erikhansen＠thebluezone.net -
Joe Bauman -
Kim