The Facts About Thunderstorms

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment.

When you think about severe weather, hurricanes and tornadoes may come to mind. If you’re thinking globally, things like cyclones and monsoons may also be thought of.

But you may forget all about thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms occur so frequently that we often fail to think of them as dangerous, which can be a problem in and of itself. While many thunderstorms pass without incident, there are those that do not—and between high winds, lightning, hail, flooding and other issues that thunderstorms can cause, there are many ways that the weather can turn dangerous quickly.

By definition, thunderstorms are any storm that involves thunder. By extension, that also means they include lightning, since the two always go hand-in-hand, even if you don’t see the lightning.

Most of these storms are inconsequential, but they can quickly turn severe in the right conditions. Severe thunderstorms are defined as storms that contain hail that is one inch or larger and straight-line winds of 58 miles per hour or more.

Why Thunderstorms Are Dangerous

• Damage and injury from lightning strikes.

We mentioned above that lightning always accompanies thunder. It’s also incredibly dangerous, and it is reported that lightning strikes cause around 300 injuries every year. Bodily harm is one key danger, but lightning strikes can also damage property, both directly and indirectly through things like trees falling on homes after a strike.

• Property damage due to hail.

You probably know what hail is, and you may consider it a danger to your car. But it’s also a danger in other ways. These ice pellets vary in size from tiny to very large. Their size, as well as how quickly they fall, contribute to how dangerous they are. Large hail, propelling quickly, can damage your roof and siding, which may lead to a leak and resulting water damage.

• Harm from flash flooding.

Flash floods can occur any time there is heavy rain for a plethora of reasons—even if storm drains back up or small ditches become filled with water, heavy rain can quickly turn these things into a life-threatening flooding scenario. This type of flood earned its name; they literally occur in a flash, endangering people around the area. If flash flood conditions are present, stay off the road.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces in Pueblo, CO. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, you can count on us to help. C