When thunder rolls and lightning strikes

Ottawa: Summer is here, and with summer comes a greater threat of lightning exposure. Every year in Canada, lightning causes a large number of injuries and sometimes even death.

Lightning awareness is particularly important for outdoor seasonal workers and those engaged in outdoor activities, such as sporting activities, camping, and boating. Many thunderstorms develop in the afternoon, between 1 pm and 7 pm. By scheduling work or any other outdoor activities in the morning or later in the evening, most lightning hazards can be avoided.

Dark clouds and increasing wind speeds indicate an approaching storm. When you hear thunder, lightning is within striking distance, and it is time to seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or hard-topped vehicle (not a convertible top).

In the vast majority of cases, you will see lightning or hear thunder in advance, giving you enough time to get to a safe location.

Keep in mind that the sound of thunder can be blocked by mountainous terrain and large buildings or masked by environmental noise such as airplanes, traffic, and lawnmowers.

Lastly, remember to wait a full 30 minutes after the last roll of thunder before going back outside.

Canadian Lightning Danger Map

The Canadian Lightning Danger Map is one way to track thunderstorms. The map displays high-risk lightning areas in red, with animation showing the movement of storms. These maps are updated every 10 minutes and are based on recent lightning observations.

Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors!

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