More than 200 million lightning events are detected in the U.S. every year. You can stay safe and prepared with AccuWeather Lightning Alerts on the AccuWeather app.
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00:01It takes special technology to detect lightning strikes.
00:04We have AccuWeather lightning network sensors right here on the roof of our AccuWeather Global Weather Center
00:10and deployed at locations across the country.
00:15If you have the AccuWeather app and our lightning network detects a strike within 10 miles of your location,
00:20you'll get an AccuWeather lightning alert through the AccuWeather app on your phone or tablet,
00:25warning you of the approaching storm.
00:28More than 200 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes and in-cloud flashes were detected in the U.S. last year.
00:35Lightning is incredibly powerful and dangerous,
00:39reaching more than 50,000 degrees, hotter than the surface of the sun.
00:44Lightning is extremely dangerous.
00:46Oftentimes, people wait too long to get to a safe place,
00:50and that puts them in a dangerous and potentially a deadly situation.
00:54John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says it's best to play it safe.
00:59Avoid showers during a thunderstorm.
01:01Check the forecast before heading out to the beach, going fishing or hiking, or to an outdoor event.
01:08And never try to take shelter under a tree.
01:11People think that metal attracts lightning.
01:13And metal does not attract lightning, but metal is a good conductor of electricity.
01:18So if lightning strikes your house, it's going to follow the metal, either the wires or the plumbing.
01:24And if you are washing your hands, doing dishes, taking a shower, those are all potentially dangerous activities during a thunderstorm.
01:33Lightning awareness and technology have made a big difference in recent years, helping to keep more people safe.
01:40You can get AccuWeather Lightning Alerts for free.
01:42Just download the AccuWeather app on your phone.
01:45Reporting for AccuWeather, I'm Bill Waddell.