Take precautions against lightning strikes – Met Service

Jamaicans are being advised to take extra precautions with lightning, as it can result in the loss of lives and destroy properties and livelihoods.

Head of the Weather Branch at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), Rohan Brown, said that of all the meteorological hazards, lightning "is the least appreciated", but can be very dangerous.

"This [lightning] occurs during the day when you have unstable weather conditions and the cloud begins to grow vertically. As they grow, they reach such a high extent that they cross what is called the freezing line," he said. When this takes place, ice crystals are formed. Ice crystals are pulled downward by gravity, but also go upward because of the updraft in the clouds. This upward and downward movement, along with the transfer of electrons, causes a separation of charge in which electricity is discharged, resulting in a flash of light called lightning.

"You could have lightning between a cloud as an intra lightning [and] you could have lightning between two different clouds. [It can also occur] between the cloud and the ground as well as what we call 'blue sky' or 'blue lightning' where you do not see the cloud, but because of the high vertical extent, you have a charged difference and you have lightning."

Brown advised "Once you are hearing thunder, chances are you could be in the path of lightning because even though you are not seeing that dark cloud, it means that there is a separation of charge that would have caused that lightning, and that charge could affect you as well."

Brown said that while lightning in Jamaica occurs most frequently during the summer months, "systems like cold fronts that occur anywhere between November and April can also cause the generation of lightning".

"It doesn't matter where you are; lightning can affect you. It affects almost everybody and our message is, if you hear the thunder roar, get indoors because lightning is possible and it can affect you," he said. Persons are advised to get into an enclosed building immediately at the sound of thunder, or a hardtop vehicle with windows and doors closed. All outdoor games and activities should be suspended during a thunderstorm and persons instructed to get indoors. If there is no shelter, persons are advised to crouch down in the open with arms covering their head. Because lightning hits the tallest object, persons are advised to stay away from trees, avoid leaning against vehicles, and get off bicycles and motorcycles.

Water is a great conductor of electricity, so persons should get out of the swimming pool, ocean, and small boats or canoes. If caught in a boat, crouch down in the centre of the boat away from metal hardware. Do not stand in puddles of water, even if wearing rubber boots.

Persons should stay away from metallic objects such as clothes lines and fences, avoid using faucets, and drop items that have metallic fastenings such as backpacks. Large metal objects can conduct lightning, and small metal objects can cause burns. Also, avoid using electronic equipment, including cellular phones.