Thunderstorms with marble-sized hail in Wallowa County Thursday – gusts up to 40 mph

At 4:14 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a weather alert for Wallowa County, warning of heavy thunderstorms through 4:45 p.m.

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

“At 4:14 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 11 miles south of Joseph, or 16 miles south of Enterprise, 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.

According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”

Preparing for impending lightning strikes: Expert safety recommendations

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:

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  When venturing outdoors, it’s vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.
  
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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 shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
  

Indoor safety precautions:

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  Once you’ve found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching 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.
  
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  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, which expose you to greater lightning risk.
  
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  Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
  
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  If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
  
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  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.
  
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  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, being alert and ready are your best defenses against lightning threats. You may put your safety first and drastically lower the likelihood of lightning-related mishaps by adhering to these rules.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

Safety comes first when there is a lot of rain. To avoid dangers and navigate wet roads, arm yourself with these weather service guidelines:

Watch out for flooding rivers:

Avoid parking or strolling close to drainage ditches or culverts during periods of intense rain, since 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.

Reduce your speed and exercise caution:

It’s crucial to slow down on wet roads. To avoid sliding, reduce the accelerator gradually and don’t brake suddenly.

Pick your lane carefully:

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

Put visibility first.

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

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.

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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