Update: Penny-sized hail expected with thunderstorms in Cascades of Lane County Friday – gusts up to 40 mph

The National Weather Service published a new forecast for Cascades of Lane County on Friday at 5:15 p.m., predicting heavy thunderstorms until 5:45 p.m.

Be prepared for wind gusts of up to 40 mph and penny-sized hail (0.75 inches).

“At 5:14 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 11 miles west of Willamette Pass, or 17 miles southeast of Oakridge, moving north at 15 mph,” according to the meteorological service. Gusty winds have the potential to blow around unsecured objects and topple tree branches. There is a chance of minor hail damage to vegetation.

The weather service remarks, “If you’re outside, think about taking cover inside a structure. Until this storm passes, people in campgrounds should think about finding secure shelter.

Lightning on the horizon: Expert safety measures for thunderstorms

Approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States annually, with the majority of these electrical discharges taking place in the summer. Unfortunately, according to the weather service, lightning kills roughly 20 people per year. As thunderstorms approach, the likelihood of lightning-related incidents increases, peaking when the storm is directly overhead. But as the tempest sweeps away, it gradually fades away.

Think about the following suggestions to make sure you’re safe during a thunderstorm.:

Plan for lightning safety:

• 
  When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
  
• 
  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.
  
• 
  Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
  

Indoor safety precautions:

• 
  Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.
  
• 
  Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
  

Hold off till the all-clear:

• 
  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 indoor shelter:

• 
  Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
  
• 
  Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
  
• 
  If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
  
• 
  Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
  
• 
  Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. While water and metal don’t 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.

Driving through downpours: Safety guidelines for wet roads

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 flooding rivers:

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:

To keep a safe following distance behind the car in front of you, follow the two-second rule. To account for decreased traction and braking efficiency in heavy weather, give yourself an extra two seconds.

Reduce your speed and exercise caution:

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:

On multilane highways, stay in the middle lanes to reduce the chance of hydroplaning because water tends to pool in the outer lanes.

Visibility is important.

Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can make it difficult to see cars in blind spots, so be especially alert for them.

Be cautious on slick roads:

During the first half hour after the rain starts, exercise additional caution. The road becomes slick when water combines with dirt and oil on the surface.

Stay a safe distance away from big cars:

Tire spray from big vehicles and buses can make it harder to see. Pass them quickly and safely, and refrain from tailgating.

Be mindful of your wipers:

The wiper blades may be overloaded by heavy rain. It’s time to stop and wait for the rain to stop when visibility is so poor that you can’t see other cars or the road’s borders from a safe distance. Stopping at rest areas or other sheltered spaces is the best option.

If you can’t avoid the roadside, pull off as far as you can, ideally past the end of a guard rail, and wait for the storm to pass. To let other cars know where you are, turn on your emergency flashers and keep your headlights on.

Taking these safety measures will significantly improve your road safety while it’s raining a lot. For a safe trip, 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.

About The Author