National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Scattered Severe Thunderstorms Across the Northern Plains; Fire Weather Concerns in the Western U.S.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast across central and eastern North Dakota, as well as far northwest Minnesota Saturday (Slight Risk level 2 of 5). Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will persist through the weekend across the Western U.S. Isolated dry thunderstorms could lead to new fire starts over portions of the northern Rockies. Read More >

Lightning Kills!

In the U. S. Lightning kills an average of 47 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured.

The National Weather Service urges you to seek indoor shelter when storms are approaching. This is the best advice:

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is indoors and away from windows. You want four walls surrounding you- that means no open garages, porches, covered decks, or picnic shelters. The next best place to be is in a hard-topped vehicle with windows rolled up.

 

This website: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

has loads of information for everyone, including coloring pages, games, videos and graphics.

 

The National Lightning Safety Council's website has lots of great lightning safety tips.