One of my good friends was struck by lightning several years ago. Getting struck by lightning is one of my biggest trepidations. It's probably in part because I live in Florida, a place many consider the Lightning Capital of the United States. Florida ranks number one in lightning deaths -- where 10 to 13 people are killed by lightning each year and 30 are injured. … [Read more...]
Severe Weather Tips
Storm Surge Explained: See Why This Type Of Flooding From Hurricanes & Tropical Storms Is So Dangerous + 5 Tips To Stay Safe
A storm surge is one of the biggest dangers along the coast when a hurricane, tropical storm, or other serious sea storm makes landfall. While many people think wind damage is the most serious impact of severe weather such as hurricanes, it's often the case that coastal storm surge flooding leads to the greatest loss of life and property. But what exactly is a storm surge? Why are storm surges so bad? And how can you stay safe from floods and rising waters during a hurricane or other … [Read more...]
See Why It’s Dangerous And Where It’s Illegal To Drive With Snow Or Ice On Your Car (…Plus How To Remove It Easily!)
I don't drive with snow on the roof of my car too often. I live in Central Florida, where we're lucky to get a light dusting of snow or flurries once every decade or so. But a friend who knows I write about all things weather asked me about the different laws that ban snow on car roofs. … [Read more...]
Snow Shoveling Etiquette: 6 Things You Should Know Before You Start Shoveling Snow At Home
Shoveling snow is one of the toughest parts of living in a 4-season climate. What's tougher still? Maybe it's minding all the proper snow shoveling etiquette. There are so many rules and courtesies about all types of snow shoveling things, such as space saving -- you know, clearing out a spot on a city street near your home to park your car after a snow emergency. … [Read more...]
Driving On Ice: How To Maneuver Your Car Safely On 5 Types Of Dangerous Road Ice… Including Black Ice
Ice is one of the most troubling and dangerous aspects of cold weather -- especially when icy conditions impact the roads you're driving on! Snow, icy weather, and other forms of cold precipitation cause many traffic accidents. Some 1.2 million road accidents are caused by hazardous weather each year, killing more than 6,000 people and injuring 445,000 others. … [Read more...]
31 Deadly Weather Facts + A List Of The Most Dangerous Weather Events
I love finding interesting weather facts. The ones that I'm going to share with you in this post (unfortunately) have nothing to do with pretty rainbows, awesome sun dogs, amazing clouds, or beautiful sunsets. These facts cover some of the most dangerous and deadly weather conditions that many of us face each year. I'm talking about rain, snow, cold snaps, heat waves, lightning, hail, strong winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other deadly forces of nature! … [Read more...]
What’s A Sandstorm? Cool Facts About Dust Storms + Amazing Sandstorm Videos
Have you ever been caught in a sandstorm? If so, you probably would've known it. Strong winds... blackout conditions... dust everywhere. … [Read more...]
Have You Ever Used A Lightning Map? These Cool Lightning Strike Maps Show You Where Lightning Is Happening Nearby
It was storming one afternoon when I decided to look for something that might help me find out how close the lightning bolts were outside. (They were really close... and the thunder was deafening!) I surfed the Internet on my mobile device and soon found a lightning strike map that gave me virtually real-time information on where the lightning was striking. I was testing the lightning map during the storm just to see how accurate it was. Wow... it was reporting nearby lightning … [Read more...]
Lightning Safety Tips: 5 Ways To Stay Alive When Lightning Strikes
Lightning isn't just a startling light show in the sky. It's a potentially dangerous natural phenomenon that has injured and killed many people over the years. Don't let lightning strikes catch you off guard! The Dangers Of Lightning Strikes Lightning dangers go beyond injuries and death to humans. Animals are also frequent lightning victims. Buildings can be severely damaged by lightning strikes, many times catching on fire. Forest fires are also often sparked by … [Read more...]
What Is A Polar Vortex & Why All The Hype?
It seems like the media has helped make the words polar vortex another popular weather phrase that everyone is using now to describe really cold weather events. Don't forget, there was also snowicane, snowpocalypse and snowmageddon... It may just be me, but there's much more fuss about cold weather these days than there used to be. The Weather Channel didn't help when they started naming winter weather systems during the 2012/13 winter season. … [Read more...]
