Summer Weather is Here, Are You Ready?

Supercellular Thunderstorms forming Derechos passed through Indiana on June 12th, 2013.
This photo was taken from Lake County, Indiana.

School is letting out, temperatures are going up, baseball season has arrived, parks are opening up, and the ice cream truck is beginning to make its daily rounds across the neighborhoods. These are just some of the signs that summer is pretty much here. Many of you may already be planning your summer trip and saving money or working extra hours to cover those vacation expenses. Are you also preparing for summer weather? Just as nice as the outdoors can be, we are also vulnerable to whatever weather comes are way. No matter if its sunny or stormy, the weather can be harmful to us and the environment we live in. It can kill us and do harm to our homes. Are you ready for summer? No, really, are you? Just as we prepare for winter weather, we also need to prepare for summer weather.
Who remembers the brutally cold temperatures? How can that be hard to forget! Everyone was begging for warmer weather and now that warmer weather is finally here. But these warmer temperatures will NOT limit themselves. Here in Indiana we went from highs mostly in the 20s and 30s for January to 50s, 60s, and even a few 70s in April. Lately we've been seeing quite a few 80s and eventually we may later reach 90s. These hotter temperatures are accompanied by high humidity levels.

WHAT IS HUMIDITY?
I know its a silly question in which some already know what it is but for a refresher its the amount of water vapor (gas phase of water) in the air. You can determine the humidity by looking at the air temperature and dew point temperature. The closer these two numbers are to each other than the higher the humidity. The dew point temperature is a measure of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.
High humidity means the air will be heavier (saturated) so when your outdoors you'll start to feel it. 60° is that magical line in terms of comfortness. Once it gets above "60", the higher the dew point temp, it will feel more and more uncomfortable, and when you get into 70s its pretty oppressive and tropical-like. So why am I telling you all this? Well, like I said, you'll feel it and you'll be sweating. You might feel you'll be sweating more during the muggy weather but the thing is, the atmosphere is not all that conducive to the evaporation process your body takes to keep you cool. So, your body has to work harder to cool you off which can be a strain on your body if your not properly hydrated. This can lead to heat related injuries or even death. This also goes for just hot temperatures in general with air temperatures above 80 even with dry air. So, keep this mind as we get closer to the summer season. This won't be the last time you hear of this.
This isn't the only danger that we face during the summer. The sun is at its strongest during the summer. As you may know, the sun emits energy. Some of this energy is good and some of it is bad. The good aspect of the sun is it contains Vitamin D so some exposure is healthy. Just like pills though, you don't want to overdose as you'll also be getting a large amount of negative energy as well. This negative energy can't be seen or felt. This is UV radiation and this does affect the human body in a negative way. Our skin is prone to cancers and damage that can be caused to our eyes from UV radiation without the proper protection. This is why its recommended to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses during the summer season especially on days where the UV index is in the high or extreme range. I've provided a url link below where you can find out the day's UV index for Indianapolis, Indiana. Most weather forecasters do NOT include this in their daily forecasts. If you want to find the UV index for another city, please click HERE.

http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro/uv_search_v2?minx=-86.21864&miny=39.72726&maxx=-86.08131&maxy=39.80643

Before you make a dash to the store to get the sunscreen, you need to be aware of what sunscreen to get. Which sunscreen offers the best protection? Which type of sunscreen is best for my lifestyle? Believe it or not, these are two questions you should ask yourself. I can't exactly tell you which to buy but I can give you a guide as to which one you may want to think about buying. First off, SPF 30 is recommended but 45 is highly recommended especially if your outside for a longer period of time. Something else you should know, most sunscreen is good for about 2 hours and then it must be reapplied. If your in and out of water, like at the pool, its only effective for maybe half the time, anywhere between 40-80 mins.
If your looking at the product on the shelves some words might stand out, like Beach Defense or Tattoo Guard. As I've said, some sunscreen is tailored to your lifestyle. If your athletic, you can find one that says "Sport" on it or for the ladies, there are special scented sunscreen and some with nutrient rich ingredients. Does the information I provided help answer those two questions I noted earlier? I won't go into much more detail about sunscreen but I hope this information did help.

One thing, I didn't note too much of was HYDRATION. Make sure your hydrated especially if your engaged in strenous outdoor activities whether it be work related or fitness related or just simply having fun. DON'T CONSUMER SUGARY AND/OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES! These cause heat cramps. Drink water or select sports drinks. Also, take frequent breaks and stay in the shade if possible. Wear light colored loose clothing to keep as cool as possible. Also, keep in mind, childrens and pets should NOT be left in the vehicle in the heat. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO DEATH especially during long periods of time and inadequate cool ventillation. About 400 people are killed and 6200 people hospitalized every year in the U.S. due to excessive heat. Please follow safe precautions this summer. Don't become a part of this statistic. For more information on Heat Safety click HERE.



I've gone over the dangers of heat and sunshine but it doesn't stop there. Now comes storms. As you know, we are victims to spring and summer thunderstorms. These storms causes damages from heavy winds and heavy rains. There are 4 components to storms that can injury or kill us; (1) Lightning (2) Hail (3) Flooding (4) Tornadoes.

LIGHTNING
Summer is peak season for lightning. As you know, lightning is one of the top risks from any thunderstorm event weak or severe. Lightning is an underrated killer, responsible for an average of 54 deaths per year across the country. Over the past 7 years, over 200 people have died after being struck by lightning. Because less people die from lightning a year than floods or tornadoes, many people do NOT take lightning seriously.

Following information below is from the NWS:

How can I keep myself and my family safe from lightning?
The short answer is: easily. Always keep in mind that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building or, if a building is not available, a hard-topped vehicle with the windows rolled up. When indoors, refrain from using corded appliances or other equipment or facilities that put you in contact with electrical systems or plumbing. Stay inside until the storms have moved away AND thunder is no longer audible. This is very important, since lightning can and occasionally does strike well away from the thunderstorm itself.

What if I am outside and no shelter or vehicle is available?
No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. If no safe shelter is available, you can only slightly reduce your risk of being struck by avoiding a common mistake. Do NOT seek shelter under tall, isolated trees or partially enclosed structures. This will keep you dry, but will enhance your vulnerability to lightning. Ensure that you are familiar with the latest weather forecast for your area. If thunderstorms are possible or expected, curtail your outdoor activities during that time, or ensure that you have constant access to a sturdy, fully enclosed shelter, such as a home or business.

What do I do if someone has been struck by lightning?
If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and get medical care immediately. Cardiac arrest and irregularities, burns, and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment, including CPR if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike, although they may be left with serious and lasting effects. You are in no danger when helping a lightning victim, and you may safely do so immediately. Lightning victims do not carry a charge.

More information about Lightning Safety can be found at www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

Lightning Safety Awareness Week in the U.S. this year is from June 22nd-28th.

HAIL
Thunderstorms can produce hail, which is simply clumped up pieces of frozen ice varying in sizes from as little as 5mm in diameter to high as 15cm. 2" or less in diameter are common observations. Hail formation is considerably more likely when the freezing level is below the altitude of 11,000 feet. As with any thunderstorm event, you should not be outside when hail is falling. Hail can cause head trauma and/or concussions. Hail can also do damage to vehicles, aircrafts, and even crops. On average, hail costs us $1 billion in damages every year. If damage is done to your vehicle and you have comprehensive coverage, then you'll be okay. It will cost much more if you do not have coverage. Just so you know, liability and collision car insurance are less likely to cover weather related damages done to your vehicle. If you have homeowners insurance, any damage done to your home should be covered as well. Talk to a claims adjuster before permanently fixing any damages.


FLOODING CONCERNS
During a thunderstorm, we are subject to heavy downpours that causes flash flooding. If your driving or even walking, your visibility can be reduced which makes us vulnerable to an accident. When your driving, you'll need to slow down or if necessary, pull over and wait for the storm to pass. Many people will also drive down a flooded road thinking they can pass through it but what they don't realize is, the depth of the road is actually lower that what they think. This causes the vehicle to fill with water leaving passengers to immediately evacuate which can sometime be life threatening. Also, fast moving waters can sweep a vehicle a way once you lose traction. If you come to a flooded street, "TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN" If your walking, you can easily be swept off your feet and hit anything in your path of travel. DO NOT WALK NEAR FLOODED STREETS ESPECIALLY WHERE FAST MOVING WATER IS PRESENT! In 2013, 82 people in the U.S. were killed due to floods, of which 5 were killed in Indiana which were vehicle related. Overall, 45% of the nations victims last year were vehicle related deaths. DON'T BECOME PART OF THIS STAT THIS YEAR, OR FOR ANY YEAR FOR THAT MATTER!
We can't prevent flooding and flooding will do damage to homes or businesses. Over the past 30 years, floods have costed us $8.2 billion. Do you have flood insurance? Having flood insurance can cover the cost to fix structural and electrical damages to your home or business. THEY DO NOT COVER MATERIALISTIC THINGS SUCH AS YOUR TV or YOUR BED. Getting flood insurance is recommended but since they are rather pricey most do not have it. On average, 20% of American's are covered by flood related damages. Some premiums though can go for as little as $60 a year while some other premiums can peak out at $2000. The average yearly cost is around $650. Premium rates depend on several factors, including the date and type of construction of your home or business, along with your area's level of risk.

TORNADOES
All thunderstorm events have a 1% chance for a formation of tornadoes. They can sometime form when you least expect it.
According to the NWS, Indiana averages 21 tornadoes a year. Indiana had a record 72 tornadoes in 2012 alone. Tornadoes can occur year round and at any time of the day but are most likely in the afternoon and evening hours during the months of April to June. Most common hours are from 3PM-8PM with a second peak from 12AM to 3AM. Following the simple tips I provided in the image below can save your life. Also, remember stay away from glass windows and remain calm. Again, in the case where lightning is present, go inside!
For other tips on survival, what to do after a storm has passed, or tips on how you can help during a severe weather crisis click HERE!



THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN THIS GRAPHIC WAS PREPARED AND POSTED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AS PART OF SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH



I have more information about severe weather in a previous blog, "SPRING WEATHER MEANS STRONG THUNDERSTORMS". Click HERE to be redirected to this write up.

NOAA is building a Weather Ready Nation. BE A FORCE OF NATURE! For more information click HERE