Important lightning facts

Most aviators recognize the tremendous power of lightning, but few truly understand this unique/ natural phenomenon. Here are a few eye opening facts about lightning:

• A typical thunderstorm lasts approximately 30-45 minutes with lightning on average of 3-4 strokes per minute.

• While most tend to occur in the afternoon and evening during the spring and summer, thunderstorms can occur at any time of the day, and along frontal boundaries.

• Lightning can strike as far as 15 miles away from a thunderstorm.

• Lightning can occur even when it is not raining.

• Deaths caused by lightning average 9...