Severe Weather Awareness Week

By Hendricus Lulofs

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

NWS Caribou, Maine

Each Spring National Weather Service offices across the United States sponsor "Severe Weather Awareness" week. The primary purpose of this week is to remind people that we are entering thunderstorm season and to bring attention to severe weather safety. This year in Maine severe weather awareness week will be held from May 4th through 9th. Did you know that Maine experiences numerous severe thunderstorms each year? Last season Eastern and Northern Maine had 34 severe thunderstorms and 2 tornado's! Severe thunderstorms are defined as thunderstorms that contain either 3/4 inch (or larger) diameter hail or produce winds of 58 mph or greater.

A thunderstorm does not have to be severe to be dangerous. All thunderstorms, by definition, have lightning associated with them. When it comes to weather related deaths, annually lightning is one of the nations leading killers. Did you know that Maine ranks 8th in the nation for the number of deaths and injuries caused by lightning per capita? When it comes to lightning, play it safe and follow the 30-30 safety rule which states: by the time lightning's "Flash-to-Bang" is 30 seconds apart you should already be in a safe location and wait an additional 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder or see the last lightning.