Jun 17, 2011

  When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! According to the National Weather Service, there were 29 deaths in the U.S. due to lightning in 2010. There has already been one lightning-caused fatality in North Carolina this year. Lightning deaths and injuries are preventable! Take the time to educate yourself by using the resources on this page to learn more about the...

Mar 1, 2011

This week has been declared North Carolina Severe Weather Awareness Week for 2011. Today’s severe weather topic is lightning. Five times hotter than the sun’s surface and killing more people annually than tornadoes, lightning is a deadly force of nature. There are some important facts that you should know and safety precautions that you should take...

Feb 28, 2011

This week has been declared North Carolina’s Severe Weather Awareness week for 2011. Today we will define severe thunderstorms and learn why it is important to remember….When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! …Severe Thunderstorms… In 2010 the National Weather Service redefined the hail criteria for severe thunderstorms. Hail stones must reach...

Jul 14, 2010

(Photo courtesy of Ken Cheek) According to the North Carolina State Climate Office, thunderstorms typically are 15 miles or less in diameter and last an average of 20 to 30 minutes. Downbursts and straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms can produce winds of 100-150 miles per hour – enough to flip large trucks and endanger airplane landings and...