Yellow warning for torrential rain, lightning and thunderstorms in Western Norway, Southern Norway and parts of Eastern Norway – news Vestland

Lovely summer weather has warmed up large parts of the country recently. Now it’s time to enjoy the last rays of sunshine, because on Thursday the tide turns. From Thursday evening, the Meteorological Institute has issued a yellow warning – both torrential rain and a lot of lightning and thunderstorms are expected in large parts of the country. Lightning struck several places in Norway at the end of May. Here is a lightning strike in Åmot caught on camera. Photo: news-tipser / news – We have very warm, humid air above us now. Late on Thursday evening, cooler air masses come in and push on the warm air, says state meteorologist at the Meteorological Institute, Hanne Beate Skatte. The meteorologist explains that this can create both rain showers and thunderstorms. At the end of May, repeated lightning strikes led to several fires. In Innlandet, a house started to burn after being struck by lightning. This is what the weather map looks like for southern Norway. Photo: YR Thursday’s danger warning applies to Western Norway south of Stad, Southern Norway and parts of Eastern Norway. – It starts with the possibility of lightning and torrential rain in Agder from 19:00 tomorrow, and then it moves towards Vestland around 21:00, says Skatte. Will move north The showers and thunderstorms will move from the south, and migrate north-east. Therefore, Trøndelag and Nordland can also expect torrential rain and thunderstorms on Friday. This is what Yr’s lightning map looked like on 1 June this year. Each dot represents a lightning observation. Skatte recommends following the lightning map to find out where the lightning strikes, and whether it is near you. – There is a lot of power and energy in lightning and thunder. So you have to respect that, says the state meteorologist. Lightning strike had a tragic outcome On 4 July 2021, a similar change in weather had a tragic outcome in Sunnmøre. Then the sisters Victoria and Benedicte Myrset died after being struck by lightning on the mountain Melshornet in Hareid in Møre og Romsdal. The third sister who was on the trip was badly injured and hospitalized. The severe storm came on suddenly in July 2021. On Thursday, an abrupt transition is also expected, from southern heat and sun during the day, to torrential rain and thunderstorms in the evening. Photo: Jarle Hersvik It is nevertheless very rare for someone to die after being struck by lightning in Norway. – You must be very unlucky to be struck by lightning. Very few people are struck by lightning in the course of a year. But you have to take precautions, says the state meteorologist. – Don’t be the highest point Now that lightning strikes, it finds the shortest path to the ground. It is therefore the highest point in the area that is exposed to lightning strikes. – If you see that there is a lot of lightning coming and it is moving towards you, then it is important to be careful not to be at the highest point. That means avoiding open plains, says Skatte. This means that you should also avoid swimming outdoors, as you automatically become the highest point on the water’s surface. Kristiansand must prepare for both lightning and thunder on Thursday evening. The picture is from the storm at the end of May. – Also avoid large trees. Even if you are under a large tree and are not the highest point, lightning can strike the tree. Then it’s dangerous to be under, she adds. In severe thunderstorms, it may be a good idea to unplug any electrical appliances. – It is mostly to avoid damage to the electrical devices, explains the state meteorologist Published 26/06/2024, at 22.01



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