Update: Thunderstorms with penny-sized hail in Ochoco-John Day Highlands Friday – gusts up to 50 mph

At 2:47 p.m. on Friday, the National Weather Service upgraded its weather notice for Ochoco-John Day Highlands, predicting severe thunderstorms until 3:15 p.m.

The storms are bringing with them penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

“At 2:46 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Seneca, or 19 miles south of John Day, moving northeast at 30 mph,” according to the 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.

Seneca and Silvies are the targets of the alert.

“If outside, consider seeking shelter inside a building,” the weather agency advises. This storm is causing frequent lightning strikes from the clouds to the ground. Ten miles can separate a thunderstorm from a lightning strike. Look for a secure place to hide inside a building or car.

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 every 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:

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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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  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.
  
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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 wooded 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:

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:

Keep a safe distance from the automobile ahead of you by following the two-second rule, and give yourself an extra two seconds if it’s raining a lot.

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.

Visibility is important.

As rain-spattered windows make it more difficult to see other vehicles, turn on your headlights and pay attention to those in blind spots and behind you.

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.

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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