Update: Thunderstorms with quarter-sized hail and damaging winds in Malheur County Friday – gusts to hit 60 mph

The National Weather Service issued a revised severe thunderstorm warning for Malheur County at 3 p.m. on Friday, which was in force until 3:45 p.m.

Quarter-sized hail (1 inch) and wind gusts of up to 60 mph are predicted during the storms.

“At 3 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Freezeout Mountain, or 37 miles west of Parma, moving north at 45 mph,” according to the meteorological service. “Car damage from hail is anticipated. Expect trees, siding, and roofs to sustain wind damage.

Note that the following areas could be impacted by the thunderstorm:

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  Harper around 3:20 p.m.
  
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  Little Valley around 3:30 p.m.
  
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  Bully Creek Reservoir around 3:40 p.m.
  

“Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building for your protection,” the weather service recommends. This storm is causing torrential rains, which could cause flash floods. Avoid operating a car on flooded roads. Please use local law enforcement or the National Weather Service Boise’s Facebook and Twitter pages to report storms to the local weather service when it’s safe to do so.

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

Approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States annually, most of which take place in the summer. The weather service reports that lightning is the cause of death for about 20 persons each year. As thunderstorms get closer, the risk of lightning increases; it peaks when the storm is directly overhead and then progressively decreases as it passes.

In order to ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following suggestions:

Plan for lightning safety:

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  When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
  
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  Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s a clear indication of nearby lightning.
  
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  Seek a safe place to shelter, preferably indoors.
  

Indoor safety precautions:

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  Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
  
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  These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
  

Hold off till the all-clear:

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  After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
  
• 
  Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
  

When there is no indoor shelter:

Take these precautions to increase your safety if you are outside during a thunderstorm without access to inside shelter:

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  Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
  
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  Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
  
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  If you’re in a group, ensure that individuals are spaced out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
  
• 
  Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It’s crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.
  
• 
  Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
  

In conclusion, readiness and alertness are your greatest allies while dealing with the threat of lightning. You may put your safety first and drastically lower the chance of lightning-related mishaps by adhering to these rules.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

Flooding and dangerous driving conditions increase when heavy rain starts. Being ready is crucial, regardless of the duration of the rainfall or the rate of runoff. The weather service has provided the following important safety advice to help you stay safe during periods of severe rain:

Watch out for swift water flow:

Avoid parking or strolling close to culverts or drainage ditches during periods of intense precipitation, as the swift-moving water can be quite dangerous.

Keep your distances from other vehicles safe:

In heavy rain, the two-second rule of following distance is your friend. To guarantee safe spacing under unfavorable circumstances, increase it to four seconds.

Slow down and drive carefully:

Reduce your speed if it’s raining and the roads are wet. Reduce your speed gently by taking your foot off the accelerator. Never apply the brakes abruptly since this could cause the vehicle to slide.

Pick your lane carefully:

To reduce the chance of hydroplaning, stay in the middle lanes. Water is more likely to accumulate in outside lanes.

Visibility is important.

Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can hide cars in blind zones, so be cautious.

Be cautious on slick roads:

Because of a combination of rain, oil, and grime, roadways are at their slickest during the first 30 minutes of precipitation. Be especially careful during this time.

Stay a safe distance away from big cars:

Avoid following buses or big vehicles too closely. Their big tires produce a mist that blurs your eyesight. Additionally, be cautious when passing them; if you have to, pass swiftly and securely.

Be mindful of your wipers:

Visibility may be hampered by overloaded wiper blades. If the rain significantly impairs your vision, stop and wait for the weather to clear up. Seek cover in safe spaces or rest zones.

Position your car as far off the road as you can, preferably beyond guardrails, if stopping by the side of the road is your only choice. To let other cars know where you are, turn on your emergency flashers and keep your headlights on.

You may greatly lower dangers and protect your health when it rains a lot by adhering to these safety precautions. To ensure a safe and sound voyage, keep yourself updated on weather conditions and follow local authorities’ instructions.

United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.

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