'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

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'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Rigorous Intuition » Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:53 pm

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Weather Official: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em><br>By LiveScience Staff<br><br>posted: 04 August 2006<br>04:06 pm ET</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br>        <br>Lightning killed at least 14 people in the United States during the second half of July, a pace twice as deadly as in a typical year for the same two weeks.<br><br>"In the past two weeks, we've seen an alarming increase in the number of lightning deaths in this country," said John Jensenius, a lightning safety expert with the NOAA National Weather Service. "People are ignoring the common warning signs of thunderstorms or failing to get to a safe place when thunderstorms threaten."<br><br>So far this year, lightning has claimed 27 lives in 19 states. Three other deaths in the last two weeks might have been lightning-related but are not in the officials statistics.<br><br>Among the lightning deaths this year:<br><br> * Four involved teens playing soccer in three separate incidents.<br> * Three were golf-related.<br> * Two people were riding lawn mowers.<br><br>"Unfortunately, the same fatal mistakes that have been made for centuries are being repeated today," Jensenius said today. "With lightning, there is no safe place outside when a thunderstorm is nearby. If you can hear thunder, you're likely within striking distance of the storm and need to get to a safe place immediately."<br><br>In an average year, 66 Americans are killed by lightning and hundreds are injured.<br><br>NOAA's advice: Seek safety in a substantial building. If unable to do so, a hard-topped metal vehicle is a good second choice. Once inside, avoid contact with any electrical equipment or plumbing, stay off corded phones, and stay away from windows and doors. Remain inside for 30 minutes after the thunderstorm has passed.<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/060804_lightning_deaths.html">www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/060804_lightning_deaths.html</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby 4911 » Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:08 pm

are there global numbers for this? <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby bvonahsen » Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:20 pm

More storms that are more intense equals more people struck I'd say. Now if we can just convince more rethuglicans and their lobbyists tp get out and hit the links. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>"Storm? naaahhhh don't worry about that thundercloud, God is on your side right? Here, use this 5 iron."</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Joe Hillshoist » Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:23 pm

There are some pretty serious ground strikes en masse in todays storms...<br><br>I used to sit outside in lightning storms because I loved the feel of the ozone singing in my ears.<br><br>Not anymore.<br><br>I once (Jan 06) counted 30 groundstrikes within a 1km radius of this place in about 3 minutes.<br><br>Scary. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby StarmanSkye » Sun Aug 06, 2006 1:36 am

"I used to sit outside in lightning storms because I loved the feel of the ozone singing in my ears."<br><br>Damn Joe, that is just so cool. I really grok it.<br><br>I absolutely LOVE a fast-moving spring-storm comin-in across the meadows or plains, or even crashing into a mountain or raging offshore.<br><br>BTW: Your posts are really wunnerful. I sure enjoy 'em. Lotta rich and meaty, tasty stuff to chew-on and savor. Our great fortune you found, glommed-on and are working this site. Belated Welcome!<br><br>Still trying to figger how to stow-away to Australia and take up yer gracious iN-Vite ...<br><br>Starman<br><br>Yup -- Wish more Rethuglicans would play-thru electrical storms under the doctrine of Divine Protection.<br><br>Blessed be. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Joe Hillshoist » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:38 am

Cheers.<br><br>But awww I'm all embarassed now.<br><br>Anyway if you can get to <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.kyogleweb.com.au/wadeville/index.htm" target="top">here</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> I am usually within a few kms. Have a beer and I'll be round soon. If not someone will look after you till i get there.<br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I absolutely LOVE a fast-moving spring-storm comin-in across the meadows or plains, or even crashing into a mountain or raging offshore.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>When I first moved to this place we would sit outside watch the sunset and then watch the storms. they would zig zag back and forth for hours moving up from the south sneak around the west side of us behind the McKeller range and bear down from the N West. Unreal.<br><br>The lightning is different tho these days.<br><br>I was standing at the front door and a bolt, well hardly a bolt, it was about 2 metres long and an inch in diameter if that, snaked past along the path. Less than 2 feet away.<br><br>That was v freaky and happened 2 days before the storm that had the massive strikes within a km. We actually got hit by lightning that day, not actually us but the power line where it feeds to the house, about 15 feet away from the house. Bloody weird tho, no surge through the house or anything. No damaged electrical equipment, just a blown fuse on the powerline.<br><br>These days I am a bit less confident that the storms won't get me. Seems different somehow, a nastier angrier energy.<br><br>In the old days lightning seemed to celebrate being alive. These days it seems angry. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Et in Arcadia ego » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:55 am

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>More storms that are more intense equals more people struck I'd say.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>The Bell Curve can't be left out of the equation. I constantly marvel at the ever reduced average intellegence I encounter, especially at work. I've recently taken up a pet name for my crustomers that everyone at work seems to resonate with. If you saw Romero's last(and pretty crappy) zombie offering, you'll recognize the term, "Stenches".<br><br>Seems to stick like glue.<br><br>Them Stenches ain't afeared of much, even lightning, can I get an Amen.. <p>____________________<br>Some are born to sweet delight, some are born to endless night.</p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Joe Hillshoist » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:09 am

There are not more storms around here, just more lightning strikes per square km sometimes. Dunno about the intensity either, they have always been pretty intense. but the lightning has changed for sure.<br><br>I haven't seen the movie, but the stenchies, hmmm.<br><br>Personally i blame mobile phones (and I am actually being serious). <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Seamus OBlimey » Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:49 am

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Personally i blame mobile phones (and I am actually being serious).<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>You could be right Joe. I'm no expert but increased high-frequency EM activity may cause more strikes per storm. If so I'd expect less power per strike unless the energy being released had increased. Any experts or more info?<br><br>Can't say I've noticed more thunderstorms, except in local weather forecasts but most failed to materialise. Likewise lightning strikes, but as I haven't been caught out yet (fingers crossed) I've had no chance to observe first hand. Being under contract to work in all weather conditions I'm sure I won't have to wait too long.<br><br>I did notice the lack of ozone tinged freshness after the few storms so whatever's changed down under changed here too.<br><br>Maybe Arcadia's right too and the reason there's more deaths in the US is because people are just getting dumber. As what happens there soon follows here I'll keep an eye out for more on this.<br><br>I wish I could get away with calling customers stenches but it's far too apt. I'll have to stick with Luv and Mate for now.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Et in Arcadia ego » Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:33 am

Not to get off topic, but have any of you looked into 'Sprite Lightning'?<br><br>Talk about fascinating stuff..This phenomenon goes straight up to the Ionosphere:<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.public.asu.edu/~gbadams/lightning/redsprite.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.fma-research.com/Images/spritering2.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/9906/sprites_exl98_big.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br>As per increase in lightning death, I can't argue with pure numbers, but something that attracts my attention more than mere come-upance for those who feel inclined to dance on a hill wrapped in copper coiling is the increase in <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>positive</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> lightning..<br><br>That's the scary stuff. <p>____________________<br>Some are born to sweet delight, some are born to endless night.</p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Et in Arcadia ego » Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:07 am

Speak of the Devil..<br><br>Cheers, Joe, you posted a positive bolt in the images thread:<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3776/lightningwideweb430x312wk8.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br>Here's a link to a much larger version of the same image:<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://205.243.100.155/photos/Lightning/Lightling_Kane_Quinnell.JPG">Link..</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>Positive lightning's no joke, man.. <p>____________________<br>Some are born to sweet delight, some are born to endless night.</p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Seamus OBlimey » Sun Aug 06, 2006 11:27 am

Wow Joe that's a beatiful place you got there. Local urban pop. 4000, 20km away? There's more than that within a quarter mile of me here and if you're not careful with the invites you'll be doubling yours. It's only the lack of airfare stopping me!<br>For the sake of the environment and our pockets maybe Starman should escape to Mexico or Venezuela and Hava to the UK. I keep meaning to look into a holiday somewhere in S or C America, see ya there Starman. And if Hava's reading this then she's welcome here, may even feel at home where Arabic is almost the second language tho I doubt that's what she needs. Wherever you are, Hava, I hope you find a better place and if I can help let me know.<br><br>[thinks should i cross post that? hopes someone will pass it on or she'll notice]<br><br>Topic? what topic? Oh yeah..<br><br>Ta for the pix Arcadia and the heads-up on the upward bound stuff. I heard of it somewhere MSM a few months back, seemed to suggest it wasn't a new phenomenon but a new discovery. Any thoughts?<br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>the increase in positive lightning.. That's the scary stuff.<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>Because it's energy leaving? <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Rigorous Intuition » Sun Aug 06, 2006 1:28 pm

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em> Not to get off topic, but have any of you looked into 'Sprite Lightning'?</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br><br>I've been finding that and "blue jets" fascinating since I learned about them. Amazing what's been going on up there that we've only recently discovered.<br><br>An <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2002/march20/bluejet-320.html">elusive 'Blue Jet' captured on video</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> for the first time Sept 14, 2001. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby bvonahsen » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:40 pm

Well here is a thought ----<br><br>If the HAARP array is supposed to, among other things, pump energy into the troposhpere, effectively turning it into a high energy plasma. Well then, what effect would that have on thunderheads? A thundercloud is basically a big capacitor rolling accross the landscape. If you increase the electrical potential in the layer above it, would that have an effect on how energetic it was? Increasing it's activity? Who knows? I'm no meteorologist, just speculating out loud here. <p></p><i></i>
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Re: 'Alarming Increase' in Lightning Deaths

Postby Et in Arcadia ego » Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:31 pm

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Because it's energy leaving?<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>Nope. re:<br><br>"Positive lightning makes up less than 5% of all lightning. It occurs when the leader forms at the positively charged cloud tops, with the consequence that a negatively charged streamer issues from the ground. The overall effect is a discharge of positive charges to the ground. Research carried out after the discovery of positive lightning in the 1970s showed that positive lightning bolts are typically six to ten times more powerful than negative bolts, last around ten times longer, and can strike tens of kilometres/miles from the clouds. The voltage difference for positive lightning must be considerably higher, due to the tens of thousands of additional metres/feet the strike must travel. During a positive lightning strike, huge quantities of ELF and VLF radio waves are generated.<br><br>As a result of their greater power, positive lightning strikes are considerably more dangerous. At the present time, aircraft are not designed to withstand such strikes, since their existence was unknown at the time standards were set, and the dangers unappreciated until the destruction of a glider in 1999.[3]<br>Intracloud lightning.<br>Enlarge<br>Intracloud lightning.<br><br>Positive lightning is also now believed to have been responsible for the 1963 in-flight explosion and subsequent crash of Pan Am Flight 214, a Boeing 707. Subsequently, aircraft operating in U.S. airspace have been required to have lightning discharge wicks to reduce the chances of a similar occurrence.<br><br>Positive lightning has also been shown to trigger the occurrence of upper atmosphere lightning. It tends to occur more frequently in winter storms and at the end of a thunderstorm.<br><br>An average bolt of positive lightning carries a current of up to 300 kiloamperes (about ten times as much current as a bolt of negative lightning), transfers a charge of up to 300 coulombs, has a potential difference up to 1 gigavolt (a billion volts), lasts for hundreds of milliseconds, and dissipates enough energy to light a 100 watt lightbulb for up to 95 years."<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning#Positive_lightning">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lig..._lightning</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p>____________________<br>Some are born to sweet delight, some are born to endless night.</p><i></i>
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