Stressing lightning safety before storms strike this summer

BREMEN, Ind. -- Scattered downpours and thunderstorms traversed through Michiana Tuesday, seemingly forming and leaving at random in the high heat and humidity.

During summer across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan, thunderstorms can be quite unpredictable, and a sunny summer day can turn dangerous at a moment's notice.

You are particularly susceptible to lightning strikes if summer plans take you out on a lake or river.

"Water is a very good conductor of electricity," Maddi Johnson, meteorologist at the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana explained. "So, lightning can strike water, and then if you happen to be boating, or you happen to be in the water, that can be very, very dangerous."

According to the National Lightning Safety Council, nearly 35 percent of lightning fatalities over the past 20 years have been water related.

In July of 2019, a man was killed by a lightning strike in Bremen, as he attempted to return to shore as a strong storm rolled through Lake of the Woods.

There doesn't need to be a downpour or thunderstorm over you for lightning to strike. High humidity can help lightning travel much farther than you might think.

"Lightning can strike ten miles away from the core of a thunderstorm," Johnson said. "These lightning bolts are highly unpredictable. And can strike well before a thunderstorm reaches your area."

A key to stay safe while boating or swimming during "pop-up" thunderstorm season is to have a plan. You should know where safe shelters are located before you head into the water, and don't wait until the last minute to seek shelter.

If you can hear thunder, regardless of where a thunderstorm appears to be, you are in danger of being struck by lightning.