Wild Myrtle Beach Weather! Weather Safety at the Beach
Lightning is one of the most dangerous weather-related risks at the beach, along with rip currents, tsunamis and excessive heat/dehydration. There are an average of 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes every year in the United States. There are an average of 300 to 500 people struck by lightning each year and around 10-15% of them die. Lightning not only packs electricity but also heat, with lightning strike temperatures around 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The second most common area for lightning fatalities is at the beach. Let’s review how you and your family can stay safe from the wild Myrtle Beach weather this summer.
Heed the Thunder
All thunderstorms produce lightning, whether you can see it or not. So, the main rule of weather safety at the beach is if you hear thunder, head for cover. If you can hear thunder, you are at risk for being hit by lightning. Avoid tents and umbrellas and instead take cover in a building or other solid structure, or in your vehicle. Never stay out on the beach after hearing thunder, waiting to see lightning before leaving. And contrary to popular belief, lightning can and often does strike the same place twice.
Bad weather can brew up suddenly in Myrtle Beach on even the sunniest day due to the high humidity of the area and the unpredictable weather patterns of being right on the coast. One reason bad weather can seem to come from nowhere is that beach visitors are generally facing the water to the east, meanwhile storms often form and enter the area from the west–behind them.
Myrtle Beach Weather Safety Tips
There are some tips that can help keep you and your family safe in the case of unexpected bad weather at the beach.
- Keep an eye on the sky in all directions. Keep in mind that many storms can come in from a westerly direction so watch the sky in all directions.
- Monitor weather alerts with your smartphone. Download a weather app, enable GPS for your location and turn on notifications for severe weather. This way your phone will let you know when severe weather is forming in the area.
- Park as close to the beach as possible so your vehicle can serve as a safe haven from storms. Your vehicle or a building are the only safe structures during a storm. Never take shelter under an umbrella or tent.
- If you hear thunder, pack up and head for shelter immediately.
Myrtle Beach weather sure can get wild and storms can spring up from seemingly nowhere. Our Myrtle Beach weather safety tips can help you be aware when bad weather is coming and keep your family safe.