Thunderstorms are not a harmless natural phenomenon. Often at the end of a period of high temperatures, thunderstorms signal the start of a different type of weather. Thunder and lightning are often accompanied by bangs, gusts of wind, treacherous downpours, rain and hail. Although you have to be careful, with the right safety measures you don’t have to be overly afraid of bad weather. Yet many still have the same panicky fear of thunder as when they were little and were put to bed to calm down.
When it is sweltering
Often after a period of summer temperatures there is a change in the weather, accompanied by thunder, heavy gusts of wind and even hail showers. The safest thing to do is to stay comfortably indoors and rejoice that you don’t have to find a safe haven in those driving downpours, between the lightning bolts. But often you are less lucky and find yourself walking outside, at a campsite or perhaps on the open water. You must use your common sense.
On the water
In the event of an impending severe thunderstorm, the KNRM (Royal Dutch Rescue Boat Company) advises water sports enthusiasts to keep a close eye on rain radar. After all, thunderstorms, gusts, downdrafts and lightning can arise unexpectedly. Sailors, swimmers and surfers can get into trouble as a result.
- If there is an impending weather change, swimmers on the North Sea beaches must always stay between the flags, because there is increased supervision there.
- Water sports enthusiasts must find a harbor in time and not go out onto the water alone. The standard advice is not to sail the IJsselmeer in such situations.
- Divers also need to be extra attentive due to strong currents.
- (Kite)surfers must realize that strong winds are ideal for surfing, but are also very dangerous.
Every year the KNMR organization receives almost 2,000 alarms, which leads to assistance for its 3,300 water sports enthusiasts. 10% involve life-threatening situations. The areas where these rescue actions are mainly carried out are certain parts of the IJsselmeer, Het Gooimeer and the Zeeland waters. You should also be alert in intense sunlight, because that can also make you miserable.
On the land
The KNMI advises to stay at home when thunderstorms are approaching because a building is the safest place. By the way, being outside in a car is also absolutely safe, because you are in a steel cage on pneumatic tires, so insulated from the ground. The physical name of such a metal casing, into which neither electromagnetic radiation nor lightning can enter from the outside, is Faraday Cage.
If you are out in the countryside and are hit by a thunderstorm, never take shelter under a tree or near a metal fence, lonely lamppost, etc., because these things attract lightning in an open space. Make yourself as small as possible, so lie down or squat.
Valwind treacherous and local
Downwinds can cause unexpected major damage locally during thunderstorms. In fact, the downdraft is a huge amount of cold air pouring down from a large thundercloud. The descending air can accelerate during the fall and, as it were, explode at the ground. Downdrafts can cause great havoc. The downdrafts often occur before the first drops come down. Speeds of more than 100 km per hour can occur because the cold air moves in all directions. This means that there is hardly any time to react, due to water sports enthusiasts, traffic, campers with caravans or tents, and festival organizers. On rain radar you won’t see the short-lived violence coming.
Irrational fear of thunder
Thinking about the safety of yourself or others is a healthy response to thunder. But there are more than 200,000 Dutch adults who have an extreme fear of thunder, just like toddlers can have. Many of them hide in a room without windows, or lie under the bed like a child. If you have such a phobia of thunderstorms, it is wise to seek professional help.