Severe Summer Weather

5/12/2017 (Permalink)

Summer is right around the corner! You may know all the facts about summer fun, but are you up to speed on summer’s severe weather? Connecticut summers are notorious for a variety of severe weather, but two of its biggest threats are extreme heat and lightning. Consider these striking facts:

Striking Fact #1: Heat is the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S.Tornadoes and hurricanes often get the headlines, but excessive heat is a formidable foe that claims more lives each year than floods, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. Stay informed about ways to remain safe when the temperature rises.

Striking Fact #2: The temperature inside a vehicle can rise 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes and 50 degrees in an hour- even when outside air temperatures are in the 70s.  Check out the National Weather Service’s “Beat the Heat, Check the Back Seat” campaign for more information about keeping kids safe this summer. Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

Striking Fact #3: Lightning kills an average of 51 people and severely injures hundreds more each year in the U.S.Lightning is a deadly by-product of thunderstorms, occurring mostly during the warmer months of June through September. It’s also Lightning Safety Awareness Week, the perfect time to brush up on tips for staying safe.