Weather Service: Start Hikes Early
The National Weather Service reminds us that this is National Lightning Awareness Week – and in a community with so much outdoor recreation, planning for a summer outing will go a long way to keeping one safe. Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chris Jones says storms usually form over the mountains in the afternoons. Jones encourages hikers and climbers to start at dawn and plan to be down by the time the storms form mid-afternoon. However, regardless of whether you are in the mountains or in the valley, Jones says if there is lightning in the area, people should take shelter indoors. …and for those indoors, Jones says do not use a corded phone during a thunderstorm and keep away from plumbing, electrical equipment and wiring for the duration of the storm.
