Lightning Is Cool... But Deadly

Summer usually brings some pretty awesome storms. While they are sometimes fun to be in, no doubt cool to watch, and provide some invigorating excitement to a downright abusively hot and humid day... they can also be very dangerous. In August, 2002 a 25-year old on a roof in Chinatown was struck and killed by a lightning strike, not from a high rise, but a 6 story building. There was much speculation that the absence of the WTC towers made the area much more lightning prone.

For those that need refreshing, at its most basic level, when the moist air in cloud becomes unstable, it builds up a strong negative charge, this induces a positive charge in the ground (or object on the ground) beneath it. When the two meet, it creates an explosive reaction... lightning.

Some interesting facts: Lightning can strike twice... the Empire State Building is struck by lightning an average of 23 times per year. New York state is ranked 5th in lightning related casualties.. You're most likely to be struck on a Sunday in July around 4pm. You're more 577% likely to get struck by lightning here than get attacked by a shark. Using a landline is dangerous during a thunderstorm, though using a cordless or your mobile phone is not. Most likely places to be struck by lightning include, in an open field, on open water, under a tree, golfing (duh!), and on the phone. Gothamist has to wonder whether electroshock therapy would work on someone who thinks it's a good idea to swing a metal golf club around in a thunderstorm.

Please be careful during thunderstorms. Gothamist loves them. But be smart. NOAA has a lightning forecast available which might be a good idea to check before you go hit a few buckets at Chelsea Piers.