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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Burlington VT
353 AM EDT Thu Apr 24 2025

...Severe Weather Awareness Week in New England and New York... 

The National Weather Service, along with all the New England states
and the state of New York, have proclaimed this week as Severe
Weather Awareness Week. Today, we look at lightning.

Although the number of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms may be
low in Vermont and northern New York, the number of days with
thunderstorms ranges from 20 to 30 days. Remember, an "average"
thunderstorm contains potentially deadly lightning that can strike
the ground.

Lightning strikes the earth many times each second and is a deadly
surge of electrical current. Lightning is responsible for
around 20 deaths and 100 injuries annually in the united states.

Thunder is the result of a lightning strike and is created when
lightning heats up the air around it, up to 50,000 degrees and
causes the air to expand and contract rapidly. Because light travels
much faster than sound, you hear the thunder after you see the
lightning.

Here is how you can determine how close the lightning is. Once you
see a flash of lightning, start counting the seconds. When you hear
the thunder, stop counting. Divide the number of seconds you counted
by five to get the distance of the lightning in miles from your
location.

If you plan to be outside, check the latest forecast and keep an
eye on the sky. Move inside when thunderstorms are near. Almost all
lightning deaths occur outdoors. When inside, keep away from
windows, doors and electrical appliances. Stay away from water and
do not use the telephone, except in an emergency.

If you are stranded outside, get inside your car. If this is not
possible, seek shelter in a low area. Do not stand near a tall tree.

If you are boating, get to safe harbor at once. If swimming get out
and away from the water immediately.

Remember, lightning may strike miles from the storm cloud. If you
can hear thunder, then you are at risk of a lightning strike and
precautions should be taken.

More information on severe weather as well as forecasts and other
weather information can be found at www.weather.gov/burlington.
Also, visit our NWS Burlington Facebook and Twitter sites for more
information.

$$