Re: RC: Re: Thunder and lightning...

[Howard4567@aol.com]

You may not believe me, but I'm actually a certified weather observer here in 
Daytona Beach, lightning capital of the world.  I get paid to watch these 
storms and I might have some advice for you if you get caught up in one.

First of all, they usually have movement to them.  The lightning is located 
in a cumulonimbus cloud, it's the darkest cloud of the bunch and can be 
frightening to look at sometimes.  The lightning can be cloud to cloud, 
within the same cloud or cloud to ground, which is the one that can kill.  

Watch the movement of the cloud.  It definitely will have a direction.  You 
can usually see it before the rain or hail starts pounding reducing the 
visibility to zero.  Then it's too late to watch.

Anyway, figure out which direction the CB cloud is moving and get away from 
it if you're out in the woods.  Distancing yourself from that cloud is the 
smartest thing to do. In really bad storms there may be more than one CB or 
the cloud is so big you just seem surrounded by it.  Also, keep in mind those 
are the same type of clouds from which tornadoes can spring.  You'll know a 
funnel cloud when you see one.  They are almost touching the ground, the wind 
near them is incredibly strong, and you can see the cloud starting to swirl.  
Whoever said weather is boring?  lol.  Especially in Florida during hurricane 
season.

cya,
Howard