Thunderstorms and associated lightning in the N.T.
Inland, rural and Darwin City
Having been a storm chaser here in Darwin for 15 years and currently doing lightning analysis I'm often curious as to what the general public perceive lightning as - something awesome to watch, be afraid of or a weather phenomenon that is particularly dangerous and to be avoided.
I've not met anyone that would actually take the last two seriously. When I've been out chasing and photographing lightning, the amount of people that simply pull up and stand out in the open to grab some photos is astounding. The amount of workers I see working outside. when the storms are less than 10km's away and fishermen actually launching their boats for an afternoon fishing trip when the storms are surrounding them ( and I'm in the car shooting with the camera) yet bolts are striking here, there and everywhere, and they're all non-fussed about it all.
Is the fact that the general public just believe that 'it won't happen to me' or 'lightning only strikes tall objects' or 'she'll be right, the storms over there some miles away..' " Can't see it so I must be safe and I can only hear thunder 'mentality?
I've not met anyone that would actually take the last two seriously. When I've been out chasing and photographing lightning, the amount of people that simply pull up and stand out in the open to grab some photos is astounding. The amount of workers I see working outside. when the storms are less than 10km's away and fishermen actually launching their boats for an afternoon fishing trip when the storms are surrounding them ( and I'm in the car shooting with the camera) yet bolts are striking here, there and everywhere, and they're all non-fussed about it all.
Is the fact that the general public just believe that 'it won't happen to me' or 'lightning only strikes tall objects' or 'she'll be right, the storms over there some miles away..' " Can't see it so I must be safe and I can only hear thunder 'mentality?
At least 2-3 people are struck by lightning each season in Darwin...whether they are on the beach, in a boat or generally outside. No fault of their own - well, that's a lie - you saw the storm - you hear thunder - you remained out in the open ( hence making you the tallest object if you're on a beach!) Those unfortunate folk who are just going about their business tend to get struck too...gardening, washing the car, checking the mailbox...that kind of thing. So they get a reprieve from any judgmental opinions!
Right...so the question on topic is...should there be more lightning advices or alerts associated with thunderstorms that are pending, impending or active in any given location? How would you like to see this occur? Through radio and social media? Would you, as the general public, business folk and infrastructure who would not necessarily be glued to the computer watching the radar as I am and do, prefer that some kind of lightning advice be added to any report of storms in the area and what you should do to take precautions and what you can do to keep safe?
What's your thoughts? What would you like to see/read or hear re lightning activity that, in essence, is very likely to seriously injure or kill you if you don't seek shelter.
Right...so the question on topic is...should there be more lightning advices or alerts associated with thunderstorms that are pending, impending or active in any given location? How would you like to see this occur? Through radio and social media? Would you, as the general public, business folk and infrastructure who would not necessarily be glued to the computer watching the radar as I am and do, prefer that some kind of lightning advice be added to any report of storms in the area and what you should do to take precautions and what you can do to keep safe?
What's your thoughts? What would you like to see/read or hear re lightning activity that, in essence, is very likely to seriously injure or kill you if you don't seek shelter.
