Common Myths and Truths about Lightning

MYTH: Lightning only strikes very tall objects.

TRUTH:Not true!! Lightning strikes the tallest objects in a particular area. For instance, if there is a lone small tree in a large field and the field is surrounded by very tall trees, the small tree is just as likely to get hit by lightning as the tall ones. It is also possible for the lightning to strike the ground in the field and completely miss the trees, if the field is large enough! If you are out in the open and are surrounded by tall objects, do not assume you are safe from lightning! Check these vital lightning safety guidelines.

MYTH: Lightning only strikes good conductors like metal.

TRUTH:This can be a deadly assumption. Lightning can strike any material that is in its path. True, the lightning current is more likely to flow through good conductors, but like the first myth, lightning will strike the best conductor in a particular area. For instance, if there are two posts of the same height in a field, one wood and one steel, if they are far enough apart they are both equally vulnerable to a lightning strike. Only if they are close enough together will the lightning be more likely to strike the steel post. Some people think that riding a bicycle in a storm is dangerous because you are touching the bike's metal frame. Riding a bicycle in a storm IS dangerous, but you are just as likely to be hit by lightning if you are walking or riding an all-plastic vehicle.....the metal bike has little or no effect. The same applies to golf clubs: Holding a metal club, even in the air after a swing, has little or no effect on your chances of being struck by lightning. The difference between lightning current flowing through a good conductor and a bad conductor is this: Good conductors suffer little damage from lightning while bad conductors are generally severely damaged. Compare this concept to an electric heating element. The heating element glows red hot, while the wires connected to it stay cool, because the wires are much better conductors than the heating element. If lightning strikes a bad conductor like wood, the current will either flow over the surface with little damage, or flow through the material with destructive and explosive results. This is why some trees are totally splintered by lightning while others are unharmed.

MYTH: 'Heat Lightning' is caused by hot weather.

TRUTH: Although hot weather is generally ideal for thunderstorm formation, heat lightning has nothing to do with hot weather. Heat lightning is the name given to the faint flashes of light on the horizon at night caused by lightning from distant thunderstorms.

MYTH: Lightning could be used as a power source.

TRUTH: This is a myth that I have heard frequently. The truth is that most of the electrical energy in a lightning strike is converted to heat, light, and sound waves, leaving little energy left over for any practical use, if a method of harnessing it and storing it even existed.

MYTH: Sheet lightning is a totally different type of lightning.

TRUTH: Sheet lightning is just the illumination of the clouds caused by a 'regular' lightning bolt that occurs inside the cloud so that the 'zigzag' or 'jagged' channel is not visible.

MYTH: If it is not raining, then there is no danger from lightning.

TRUTH: Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.

MYTH: The rubber soles of shoes or the rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning.

TRUTH: Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard- topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.

MYTH: People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched.

TRUTH: Lightning-strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for information on CPR and first aid classes.

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