Lightning and Thunderstorms -Safety

THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING

Singapore has one of the highest occurrences of lightning activity in the world. Situated close to the Equator, the warm and humid tropical conditions are highly favourable for the development of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms produce lightning, and in severe cases, are accompanied by heavy rain and gusty winds. At any given time, more than 2,000 thunderstorms are estimated to be active around the globe.

On average, Singapore experiences 167 thunderstorm days per year.  This refers to the number of days in which thunder is heard over Singapore, and gives an indication of lightning activity (as thunderstorms are associated with lightning).  The monthly distribution of mean thunderstorm days as recorded at the climate station at Changi is shown below. More thunderstorm days are observed during the Inter-Monsoon months of April and May and October and November. The months of January and February in the later phase of the Northeast monsoon experience the least number of thunderstorm days.

Thunderstorms tend to occur between 2 pm and 6 pm in the afternoon as diurnal heating and convection play an important role in thunderstorm development.

                   

Safety in Thunderstorms

First thing to do - lay down your fishing rods, they could act like an antennae and draw a lightning strike right to you. 

If on land, seek like-sized shrubs or a group of small trees, get low and avoid touching the plants. On open terrain like fishing beaches or desert potholes with no form of cover, find a low spot and crouch on your heels. Never move towards solitary trees and avoid isolated structures like gazebos or picnic table covers (especially if they are constructed of metal), lightning can travel as much a 60 feet sideways after striking an object. An automobile - but not convertibles or cars with a fiberglass roof - offer some shelter but put your hands in your lap and avoid contact with the steering wheel, radio, ignition, etc.

Boaters are at great risk because they are often the highest object on the water's surface. Even distant thunder or lightning flashes should trigger an immediate move toward shelter on land. As a last resort, lower all fishing rods and radio antennas, then crouch down without contacting any metal railings, wiring, or the motor; don't get in the water or dangle your legs or hands in the water. If there is time, disconnect the VHF radio and GPS, this way they may survive a lightning strike. Lightning protection systems are available for some fishing boats but getting off the water is safer.

Other Story on lightning strike and survivor

"Many answers to surviving  lightning-strike questions must be qualified with the statement "it depends." There know cases surviving lightning strike, there a case in Denver a few years ago where a young man was hit on the head by a direct lightning event. His father was 20 feet away, witnessing the whole thing, sitting in his pickup truck. The boy was rushed to the hospital and was discharged (no pun) an hour later with no symptoms

"How come? He was wearing a rain slicker and he was soaking wet from a violent rainstorm. Lightning probably followed the "path of least resistance" on the outside of his body. His nervous system and his circulatory system were not harmed. So you see, It depends.

In a way you are wrong, but on the other, hand (you here this a lot when you talk about lightning), the wet slicker probably kept most of the charge from going through his body. You could shift the argument to what do you mean by "hit."

The important point to take away from the questions: Don't count on a wet rain slicker to save you from lightning. You should rely on the usual safety rules,