On Wednesday at 7:18 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a weather alert for Berkshire County, warning of heavy thunderstorms through 7:45 p.m.
Up to 40 mph wind gusts are possible for locals.
“At 7:18 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm over Great Barrington, moving east at 10 mph,” according to the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
The following locations are affected by the alert: Berkshire Heights, North Egremont, South Egremont, Hephzibah Heights, Sheffield, Housatonic, New Marlborough, Monterey, Alford, Tyringham, Hartsville, Egremont Plain, Newsboy Statue, Van Deusenville, Brookside, Southfield, Belcher Square, and Great Barrington.
According to the weather service, “If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.”
Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines
Approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States annually, with the majority of these electrical discharges taking place in the summer. Unfortunately, according to the weather service, lightning kills roughly 20 people per year. As thunderstorms approach, the likelihood of lightning-related incidents increases, peaking when the storm is directly overhead. But as the tempest sweeps away, it gradually fades away.
In order to ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following suggestions:
Plan for lightning safety:
Indoor safety precautions:
Hold off till the all-clear:
When there is no indoor shelter:
Take these precautions to increase your safety if you are outside during a thunderstorm without access to inside shelter:
In conclusion, readiness and alertness are your greatest allies while dealing with the threat of lightning. You may put your safety first and drastically lower the chance of lightning-related mishaps by adhering to these rules.
Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain
There is a greater chance of floods and dangerous roadways when it rains a lot. The weather service has provided the following advice to help you keep safe during downpours:
Watch out for swift water flow:
Avoid parking or strolling close to culverts or drainage ditches during periods of intense precipitation, as the swift-moving water can be quite dangerous.
Keep your distances from other vehicles safe:
To keep a safe following distance behind the car in front of you, follow the two-second rule. To account for decreased traction and braking efficiency in heavy weather, give yourself an extra two seconds.
Reduce your speed and drive carefully:
Reduce your speed if it’s raining and the roads are wet. Reduce your speed gently by taking your foot off the accelerator. Never apply the brakes abruptly since this could cause the vehicle to slide.
Pick your lane carefully:
Water tends to pool in the outside lanes, so stick to the central ones.
Put visibility first.
Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can make it difficult to see cars in blind spots, so be especially alert for them.
Be cautious on slick roads:
Roads are slickest during the first half-hour of rain because of a combination of rain, oil, and filth. Be especially careful during this time.
Stay a safe distance away from big cars:
Avoid following buses or big vehicles too closely. Their big tires produce a mist that blurs your eyesight. Additionally, be cautious when passing them; if you have to, pass swiftly and securely.
Be mindful of your wipers:
The wiper blades may be overloaded by heavy rain. It’s time to stop and wait for the rain to stop when visibility is so poor that you can’t see other cars or the road’s borders from a safe distance. Stopping at rest areas or other sheltered spaces is the best option.
If you can’t avoid the roadside, pull off as far as you can, ideally past the end of a guard rail, and wait for the storm to pass. To let other cars know where you are, turn on your emergency flashers and keep your headlights on.
Taking these safety measures will significantly improve your road safety while it’s raining a lot. For a safe trip, keep yourself updated on weather conditions and follow local authorities’ instructions.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
