By Juliane Kim
Several thunderstorms have already blown strong winds and hail through Northern Virginia this summer, causing flooding and damage to cars and property. Thunderstorms cause problems for drivers in a variety of ways, with heavy rain, lightning, hail and strong winds making it difficult to navigate roadways.
Rain may seem to be the least hazardous part of a storm, but being unable to see the road and hydroplaning are two ways that storms can cause accidents and make it difficult to steer. In the case of heavy rain, turn off cruise control, make sure to slow down and leave plenty of room for the car in front of you. Going too fast increases the chance of hydroplaning, which is when the water on the road causes the tire to lose contact with the road. If the car does begin to skid, then keep calm and do not slam the brakes, as this will make the car even more difficult to steer. Simply ease up on the acceleration and slow down until the car is back under control.
If the rain makes it so that you cannot see a couple of feet ahead, then find a safe place to stop and park your car until the storm passes. In cases where there are large puddles in the road or if there may be flooding, it is a good idea to avoid driving in the first place, as just a foot of water can move a small car.
Hail is one form of precipitation that may be unfamiliar to some people, as it is not as common as rain. Although hail is made up of ice and may seem like a winter hazard, it is actually more common in the summer due to the process of how this weather phenomenon is created. During a storm with strong winds, the rain in a cumulonimbus cloud is blown up by wind into the upper layer of the cloud, which is colder than the lower part of the cloud. The rain freezes, and as it becomes heavier, it drops to the warmer lower area of the cloud where it picks up more moisture and then is blown back up so that the outer layer freezes again. This process is repeated, with the hailstone growing larger each time until it becomes too heavy and gravity forces it to fall to the ground.
Hail can be extremely damaging to property and can cause injuries to people and pets. Any time there is hail, bring pets inside and take shelter indoors and stay away from windows and skylights. If you are caught outside during a storm with hail and there is nowhere to find shelter, then try to protect your body and cover your head.
If there is a storm and you hear thunder, it is always a good idea to head indoors or find some sort of shelter. Taking shelter under a tree or a bus stop is not a good idea during a thunderstorm: Although these may protect you from rain, they will not protect you from lightning. If there is no building nearby, being in a car is safer than being outside because the metal body of the car will conduct electricity safely into the ground. Whether you are taking shelter in a car or your home, make sure to unplug appliances from outlets and keep away from anything that is connected to electrical wiring, such as the steering wheel of the car or a landline phone. Wireless devices such as cellphones are safe to use, however.
The best method for staying safe is to check the weather forecast for the day and to make sure to limit traveling if possible, especially if there is a chance for storms with severe flooding or hail.
