Kevin Norton
EF0
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2011
- Messages
- 15
Hey All,
On 9 JUN here at Boston we had a cold frontal thunderstorm event. Fairly high winds (G 50), brief torrential rain, some trees down in the area, blah,blah, blah.
After the storm had "passed off " (note the quotations) to the East I went out to observe the storm "pushing away".
Now before anyone "informs" me, I know that if you can hear thunder you can be struck, lightning is a significant thunderstorm killer, you shouldn't go outside ( etc). I fully understand this, but at times have "rolled the dice" .I DO NOT suggest to ANYONE to take chances with lightning. STAY INSIDE !
But I (I ,ME, I) took the chance and went out to my usual observation spot a few blocks away.
We still had frequent lightning within 2.5 mi or so East, but only light rain and the main focus of the cloud to gnd activity had "SEEMED" to be well pushed off.
But suddenly a heavy steel streetcar pole around 80 to 100 ft away from me got struck by a white bolt. There was an immediate crack/boom but not excessively loud.It didn't really startle me that much and (stupidly) I actually thought it was kind of cool ,despite the very close call ( I was actually on higher ground, maybe 30 or so ft ABOVE the pole's base). The bolt was VERY short lived and not overly bright (like me ,ha, ha). A good sized puff of steam or smoke rose up but quickly dissipated.
This was an isolated event without repeat, no further close strikes were experienced during the storm. I DID drift back to my house though.
After the storm I examined the pole and found NO trace of strike whatsoever.My feeling is that this bolt was mostly voltage and not too much current, given the very short duration and lack of any strike signature.However I am sure that it DID have enough current to "cook my goose" had it chosen me instead of the pole. I am glad I left the 9 iron at home.
To sum , stupid, and I have more respect now for storm safety and less reliance on my "judgment".
K
On 9 JUN here at Boston we had a cold frontal thunderstorm event. Fairly high winds (G 50), brief torrential rain, some trees down in the area, blah,blah, blah.
After the storm had "passed off " (note the quotations) to the East I went out to observe the storm "pushing away".
Now before anyone "informs" me, I know that if you can hear thunder you can be struck, lightning is a significant thunderstorm killer, you shouldn't go outside ( etc). I fully understand this, but at times have "rolled the dice" .I DO NOT suggest to ANYONE to take chances with lightning. STAY INSIDE !
But I (I ,ME, I) took the chance and went out to my usual observation spot a few blocks away.
We still had frequent lightning within 2.5 mi or so East, but only light rain and the main focus of the cloud to gnd activity had "SEEMED" to be well pushed off.
But suddenly a heavy steel streetcar pole around 80 to 100 ft away from me got struck by a white bolt. There was an immediate crack/boom but not excessively loud.It didn't really startle me that much and (stupidly) I actually thought it was kind of cool ,despite the very close call ( I was actually on higher ground, maybe 30 or so ft ABOVE the pole's base). The bolt was VERY short lived and not overly bright (like me ,ha, ha). A good sized puff of steam or smoke rose up but quickly dissipated.
This was an isolated event without repeat, no further close strikes were experienced during the storm. I DID drift back to my house though.
After the storm I examined the pole and found NO trace of strike whatsoever.My feeling is that this bolt was mostly voltage and not too much current, given the very short duration and lack of any strike signature.However I am sure that it DID have enough current to "cook my goose" had it chosen me instead of the pole. I am glad I left the 9 iron at home.
To sum , stupid, and I have more respect now for storm safety and less reliance on my "judgment".
K