Today's Tmj4 Storm Team 4 Beware of Lightning in Every Storm

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We are now into the time of year when thunderstorms become common across Wisconsin. At TMJ4, we are always on the lookout for storms that might produce dangerous wind and hail. It's important that we also take the threat of lightning seriously with every thunderstorm. Lightning kills an average of one person per year in Wisconsin and 52 people nationwide.

Given lightning's dangerous consequences, I'm often asked why its presence doesn't lead to severe thunderstorm warnings. The answer is pretty simple: Thunderstorms, by definition, produce lightning -- so all thunderstorms would be defined as severe if the presence of lightning were a warning criterion. The National Weather Service reserves the definition of severe thunderstorms for those that produce hail 1 inch or larger in diameter, winds over 58 mph, or a tornado. Still, all thunderstorms are dangerous because they produce lightning.

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Today's Tmj4 Storm Team 4 Beware of Lightning in Every Storm

It's also important to know t...

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