When Thunder Roars Get To Shore; National Lightening Safety Week

More than 400 people are struck by lightning in the U.S. each year. Around 10 percent of those deaths happen in Wyoming.

The National Weather Service is addressing those high numbers with National Lightning Safety Awareness Week that kicks off Monday.

"Historically Wyoming has had a very high lightening casualty rate per capita. So again for the number of people who live in our state, the rate with lightening injuries and deaths is very high."

Meteorologist, Chris Jones, with the National Weather Service says last year was even worse with  high profile incidents in Grand Teton and at Old Faithful. The 11th annual National Lightening Safety Awareness Week continues the safety message.

"We've tried every year to choose a different theme, trying to get people to safety during sporting events, because we have a lot of people in Wyoming out at ball games and things in the summertime. This year we worked with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to get the word out to boaters, 'When Thunder Roars Get To Shore'.

Jones says many people still wait too long to seek shelter from lightning, which can strike up to ten miles away from a thunderstorm. National Weather Service officials advise that if you hear thunder, you need to get inside a building or hard topped car immediately and boaters need to head to shore. He says if your hiking in high country start early so you're back below treeline by at least 1 pm.

The Riverton National Weather Service recently launched a summer recreation forecast for Grand Teton National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to check the forecast online or call weather service offices.

Follow this link to central Wyoming forecast detail http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/

or call the National Weather Service in Riverton 1 800 211 1448