Airdrie is the second most common “hot spot” for lightning strikes in the province, according to a recent analysis of service territories by FortisAlberta.
Blair Debaar, communications specialist with FortisAlberta, said the rankings are contingent on factors that change annually.
“It varies from year to year. It totally depends on the geographic location and the weather patterns that are occurring each year,” he said.
FortisAlberta projects the Airdrie service territory could see approximately 2.19 strikes per square kilometre this year, or a total of more than 6,080 strikes. FortisAlberta ranked the Bassano territory number one on its “top 10 lightning hot spots” with 3.32 strikes per square kilometre.
Last year, FortisAlberta recorded 210,000 strikes across 55 major service points.
Lightning season will run until September, and Debaar provided a number of tips for staying safe during lightning season.
“Stay away from plumbing, stay away from corded appliances. Cellphones are good, but stay away from anything that plugs in,” he said. “Don’t go for a shower, don’t touch taps.”
Debaar noted Environment Canada’s slogan – “When thunder roars, go indoors,” – is a good safety tip. Individuals should stay away from objects that conduct electricity, like golf clubs and carts, motorcycles and lawn mowers.
If caught outdoors, individuals should take shelter if they are able to count 30 seconds or less between lightning and thunder.
“Crouching is the big thing. Do not seek shelter under (tall objects) like a tree,” he said. “If you’re on a lake, get off right away. (Lightning) can hit the water and spread out.”
Debaar said thunderstorms are a concern to FortisAlberta due to their ability to start wildfires. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) announced the 2015 fire season is from March 1 to Oct. 31.
ESRD previously enacted a province-wide fire ban on May 25. As of June 9, bans are still in place in certain areas of the province, including Chestermere, Jarvis Bay and Wheatland County.
“If there’s a fire, for us it’s about protecting equipment and reliability of power,” Debaar said. “Lightning strikes are the number one environmental cause of fire.”
For more information on what to do during a lightning storm, visit getprepared.gc.ca
