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. Lightning is incredibly powerful and dangerous,
00:31reaching more than 50,000 degrees hotter than the surface of the sun.
00:36Lightning is extremely dangerous. Oftentimes people wait too long to get to a safe place
00:42and that puts them in a dangerous and potentially a deadly situation.
00:46John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says it's best to play it safe.
00:52Avoid showers during a thunderstorm. Check the forecast before heading out to the beach,
00:57going fishing or hiking, or to an outdoor event. And never try to take shelter under a tree.
01:04People think that metal attracts lightning. And metal does not attract lightning,
01:08but metal is a good conductor of electricity. So if lightning strikes your house,
01:13it's going to follow the metal, either the wires or the plumbing.
01:17And if you are washing your hands, doing dishes, taking a shower,
01:22those are all potentially dangerous activities during a thunderstorm.
01:26Lightning awareness and technology have made a big difference in recent years,
01:30helping to keep more people safe. You can get AccuWeather lightning alerts for free.
01:35Just download the AccuWeather app on your phone. Reporting for AccuWeather, I'm Bill Waddell.
01:40I'm Bill Waddell.