Weather Watch:  Tracking Lightning Storms

-David Schultz, NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory

Most people are killed not when the heaviest rain is falling, but
BEFORE or AFTER the time when the rain and lightning was most intense,
when the danger seemed to be least apparent.  Give yourself
adequate time to exit the water in anticipation of thunderstorms.

* Don't be fooled by sun elsewhere in the skies.  Young thunderstorms
can occupy only a fraction of the sky.

* Watch for storms that are growing very quickly, are very dark at
their bases, or are very tall.

* Equally dangerous is when a storm appears to be finished and only
light rain and/or occasional thunder is heard.  Wait at least 30
minutes until after lightning activity ceases to resume paddling.