March Program: Lightning Safety and Awareness
Posted: January 1st, 2010 under Audubon Meetings.
John Snook
Chapter Meeting
Thursday, March 4, 2010
7:00 PM
Speaker: John Snook, Colorado Avalanche Information Center
Prepare for the upcoming field season! On March 4th, John Snook of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center will present the essentials of lightning safety and awareness.
With more time outdoors comes an increased risk of lightning-related injury and death. U.S. lightning deaths average more than 50 each year, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). According to the NWS, undocumented injuries are likely much higher. In Colorado alone, lightning fatalities and injuries totaled 394 between 1959-1994. About 90 percent of those struck by lightning survive, but they frequently have permanent after effects, which can include debilitating neurologic injuries such as memory loss, muscle spasms, dizziness and depression.
Dr. Snook will present the shocking facts about lightning at the Evergreen Audubon March meeting, 7:00 PM at the Church of the Hills. His presentation will include lightning fatality statistics and answer the question “Why does Colorado rank 2nd in the nation?” He will also discuss the mechanics of thunderstorm development, lightning, and Colorado climatology. John will familiarize us with finding and understanding weather forecasts prior to your outdoor activities, what to look for while outside, and what to do if lightning is near.
John Snook has both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Meteorology from University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a PhD in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University. He worked as an applied research meteorologist at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, and is currently an independent meteorological consultant and an Avalanche Forecaster at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Join us for this engaging and informative presentation about lightning, the hazards and how to protect yourself, Thursday, March 4, 2010. Guests are welcome. Our meeting will be held at 7:00 PM in the Church of the Hills, 28628 Buffalo Park Road (just west of the Evergreen Library) in the downstairs Fellowship Hall. Refreshments and a business meeting will follow.
Download “Lightning Safety for You and Your Family” brochure