Marble-sized hail predicted with thunderstorms in Grande Ronde Valley and Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon Thursday

At 5:05 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service reported that the Grande Ronde Valley and Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon would have heavy thunderstorms through 5:30 p.m.

Marble-sized hail (0.5 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible during the storms.

“At 5:05 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Minam, or 23 miles northeast of La Grande, moving northwest at 10 mph,” according to the National Weather 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.

Elgin and Minam are the targets of the warning.

“If outside, consider seeking shelter inside a building,” the weather agency advises. Alongside this storm is torrential rain, which could cause localized flooding. Avoid operating a car on flooded roads.

Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice

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.

Remember the following advice to stay safe during a thunderstorm:

Plan for lightning safety:

• 
  When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
  
• 
  Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
  
• 
  Seek a safe place to shelter, 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.
  
• 
  These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
  

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 inside shelter:

• 
  Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which 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 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. 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

Roads can become dangerous when it rains. Keep yourself updated and heed these weather service recommendations to stay safe during periods of intense precipitation:

Watch out for flooding rivers:

When it rains a lot, stay clear from parking or strolling near culverts or drainage ditches since the swift-moving water could carry you away.

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 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:

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

Put visibility first.

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

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:

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.

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.

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