Update: Brace for penny-sized hail with thunderstorms in Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades Friday

At 5:03 p.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service issued an updated weather notice for heavy thunderstorms in the Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades through 5:45 p.m.

Penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible during the storms.

“A powerful thunderstorm was detected by Doppler radar at 5:03 p.m., 14 miles northeast of Happy Camp, close to Seiad Valley. According to the weather service, this storm was almost stationary. Gusty winds have the potential to blow around unsecured objects and topple tree branches. It is possible for outdoor items to sustain minor harm.

It’s a Seiad Valley notice.

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

When lightning looms: Expert safety tips 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.

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 shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
  

Indoor safety precautions:

• 
  Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from 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.
  
• 
  It’s important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have 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, 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 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 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.

Navigating rainy roads: Safety tips for wet weather

If heavy rainfall persists or if runoff is substantial, flooding may result. Saturated soils and/or heavy rainfall can cause excessive runoff. To keep safe during periods of intense rain, heed these weather service recommendations:

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:

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 drive carefully:

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 zones, so be cautious.

Be cautious on slick roads:

Roads are slickest during the first half-hour of rain because of a combination of rain, oil, and filth. 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. Take cover at rest areas or other safe places.

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.

About The Author