Penny-sized hail expected with thunderstorms in Johnson County Wednesday
The NWS Fort Worth TX issued a report at 12:36 p.m. on Wednesday, warning residents of strong thunderstorms until 1 p.m.
The storms may bring penny-sized hail (0.75 inches).
"At 12:36 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Grandview, or near Alvarado, moving east at 10 mph," states the NWS. "Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible."
Expect strong thunderstorms in Grandview around 12:40 p.m.
The NWS adds, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building."
This alert is in effect until 1 p.m.
How to react when facing a lightning hazard?
Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually. The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS. The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead. This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm:
• To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.
• If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
• Once inside, avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors.
• Wait for 30 minutes after the most recent lightning or thunder before venturing outside.
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
• Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.
• Avoid tall, isolated trees or other elevated objects. If you are in a forest, stick to areas with shorter tree cover.
• If you are with a group, fan out to stop the current from transmitting between members.
• If you are camping in an open setting, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low spot. Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning.
• Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects. While water and metal do not draw lightning, they are proficient conductors of electricity.
What steps to follow when driving in the rain?
• Switch on headlights — Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
• On the road — Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground. Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.
• Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
• Do not follow large vehicles closely — Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
• Avoid flooded zones — If you encounter a flooded road, make a U-turn and go back. The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road. Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The top three contributors to hydroplaning are:
1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:
• Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
• Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
• Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
• Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Source: The National Weather Service
This story was originally published April 10, 2024 at 12:54 PM with the headline "Penny-sized hail expected with thunderstorms in Johnson County Wednesday."