04/28/2012
Did you know that: Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the United States, about 10 percent are classified as severe.
A thunderstorm is classifi ed as severe if it produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of fi fty-eight miles per hour or higher, or produces a tornado.
To determine how close you are to a thunderstorm, use the following simple calculation:
Count the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the
next clap of thunder.
Divide this number by five to determine the distance to
the lightning in miles.