Oregon may see "Dry Thunderstorms" as fire season builds.

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Map shows areas in Oregon where Dry thunderstorms are predicted to happen.

You may have noticed the lightning and thunderstorms we had here in the Willamette valley this past week.

Lightning and thunder are a normal occurrence that happen frequently throughout the country. It’s not an occurrence that happens often here in the Willamette valley. So, are thunderstorms dangerous? Yes, but the level of danger varies depending on where you live.

Thunderstorms have a much higher rate of being accompanied by tornadoes and strong winds if you live in the southern states. Tornado warnings don’t happen very often here in Oregon. But the storms here that have lightning and thunder can still bring strong winds, hail, and lightning bursts that can fall trees and fry electrical systems.

There is also a chance of dry thunderstorms taking place over much of Oregon this week. See photo of areas where potential dry thunderstorms might hit. Dry thunderstorms don't have much moisture and are heat driven, making them extremely dangerous in fire season.

So how do you stay prepared and protected? Here’s some tips from Ready.gov on ways you can prepare for the storm!

-If it starts to thunder and lightning, go indoors.

-If there is thunder and lightning outside, stay off electrical devices connected to the wall with a power cable.

-Strengthen your home by keeping up on home maintenance and roof repairs, also cutting any close trees away from your house.

-If a road floods, don’t try and drive through it, turn around.

-Pay attention to authorities and weather forecasts.

-Lastly, make a Preparedness Plan (this helps you and your children be more safe and secure in the event of a strong storm). Link: Emergency Plan.

Again, storms can be frightening at times. They are also a force of nature to watch, so watching and chasing storms is something that people do. If you are fascinated by storms, please watch from a safe distance and from the cover of your vehicle or home. Stay Safe and Stay Prepared.