What is a storm?

The storm is the effect of mixing layers of air. During this phenomenon, thick cold air is mixed with moist, much lower density. As a result of this process, air currents are created, and the accumulated heat energy in air and steam turns into electricity, which is accompanied by strong gusts of wind. Then the sky is visible electrical discharges in the form of lightning, which have an intensity of 20 thousand amperes. There are three basic types of lightning:

• Linear – visible in the form of bands, they are from 1 to 10 km
• Spherical – resembling fireballs
• Beaded – in the form of separate points or sections

The storm can be dangerous for us, so it’s worth knowing how to behave when we meet her on our way. It’s best to hide in a safe place before it reaches us. Due to the fact that water is a great conductor of electricity, when we see a storm approaching, we should leave the water, even if we are in a kayak or boat. Observing the signs in the sky, we are able to determine whether it will happen at all and if it happens then what is its distance from our location. With lightning only without audible thunder, we assume that the storm is about 70 km from us. This is a signal for us to look around for a safe haven. We should head towards the shore when we’re on the water. Audible quiet murmurs of the storm can mean that its distance to us has already decreased to less than 25km.

We will most accurately determine its distance by counting the time elapsed between flashes and audible thunder. To do this, divide the number of seconds into 3. Example, if 15 seconds have passed between lightning and thunder to divide into 3, we get the distance in kilometers with this case being stormed 5 km away from us.

Storm when we are at home?

The storm does not always have to find us when we are kayaking, we might as well be in our homes. How do you use yourself then? Thinking first of all about the safety of use and all household members, let’s not forget about the people who remained outside.

A clothes dryer, flowerpots or other light items left on the balcony or windowsill can be carried away by the wind and additional hazards are available. Break our fast balcony, hit the car parked under the block or a neighbor who was not as lucky as mine and is just heading home.

We close all windows and doors. Strong, sudden gusts of wind can cause a sudden sudden opening of a window or balcony door and cover the entire room with small pieces of broken glass that can be scattered around the room almost small projectiles.

The phenomenon of the storm is a spectacular phenomenon, but watching it through the window can be as dangerous as being outside. In the faster it can hit any wind blown away, causing the glass to break, covering us with a hail of small pieces of glass that the face will get, it may hit the eye, which may seem like serious consequences or even contain a heavy burden on life.

Your own home is one of the safer places to wait for a storm, so don’t go outside if you don’t have to. Staying at home, it is better to disconnect the TV, computer or other devices from the sockets, especially if you do not use a surge protector, a satellite antenna from the TV, an internet cable from the computer, etc. An unfortunate lightning strike in the lightning rod can cause a breakdown and all devices connected directly to the socket maybe damn it. It is not so dangerous but very expensive, although we cannot exclude threats either.

Regarding the use of a mobile phone, opinions are divided, some say that the waves generated by these devices are so small that they pose no threat. Others think that using phones is dangerous. No matter which group is right, if you do not need to better not use it during a storm, and it’s best to turn off the phone.

Just like telephones during a storm, we should not use other devices operating on electricity, such as a hair dryer, electric razor, etc., when a lightning strikes a house or block, electricity through these devices can pass to us. Do not stick to electrically conductive objects such as radiators, gas pipes, kitchen sinks, taps, etc. It is good to have a flashlight or candles on hand in case electricity runs out.

See also: Storm not only on canoeing, part 2