I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
Coming down on a sunny day – Creedence Clearwater Revival
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Yesterday, the weather forecast was for a 2% chance of rain. Up to and including throughout when the sky got dark as night, lightning and thunder rattled the house continually, and it started raining buckets.
Even the TV newscasters admitted it was surprising.
Duh.
This newsletter has reported before that you should keep an eye on the weather forecast before heading out for a foray on the water.
This is a reminder that weather forecasts can be wrong. And even continue to maintain that all their instruments and charts are saying it should be sunny and calm when all around you it is lightning and thunder and raining buckets.
It is axiomatic that a weather forecaster can be wrong every day of their career, and still have a successful career.
You need to keep your own weather eye out for adverse weather, even when every other news source is telling you it is supposed to be calm.
Trust yourself.
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I’ve been on a river on an otherwise sunny and pleasant day, when a surprise tornado came through.
SURPRISE!
If you hear thunder, get out of the water if you are swimming, and hunker down in your boat if possible. Keep as low a profile as possible. Get close to shore. Or ON shore. The rule of thumb is that you should wait 30 minutes AFTER you hear thunder to go back out and continue your activities. That isn’t a guarantee of safety, but just a rule of thumb.
There is a documented instance of a woman who was out hiking and was struck by lightning that came from a storm 30 miles away. Just sayin’.
This isn’t to say be afraid when you are out enjoying our water sport but keep a weather eye out.
Be safe out there.
See you On The Water!