Thunder and lightening when swimming (Sarasota, Venice: 2013, condo, attorney)

[macrodome2]

This is our first summer here. I've read a lot about lightening here in FL and it seems to be a bit different from what we experience up North. We don't get thunder on really sunny days up North. If you're going to get a thunderstorm, you're going to get the clouds and the whole nine yards. If we hear thunder with the clouds, we wait 30 minutes from the last clap of thunder before going back in the community pool.

I know if you see lightening, get out of the water, sun or no sun. But in the last few weeks, we'll be sitting on the lanai in the sun and hear one clap of thunder, just one. Now if I were in the Gulf, I would get out.

However, do you get out of the community pool or your own pool when the sun is shining and you hear one clap of thunder? If so, how long do you wait until you can return to the water?

If you were at the beach and you hear thunder but don't see lightening, how long do you wait until you can go back in the water (assuming its sunny, not that you can see a storm approaching)?

[Shabotnik]

Lightning kills more people in Florida than any other weather phenomenon. - tribunedigital-orlandosentinel

[marcopolo]

I used the Y a ways north of you when the condo pool was being renovated. They had a specific protocol for lightning danger; call your local Y and ask them what the rules are for it. They'll tell you. (I just can't remember or I would tell you.)

The Sarasota YMCA

[macrodome2]

Shabotnik- thanks. I've read similar articles about how dangerous it can be. This one indicates at least 30 min after hearing thunder.

Marcopolo- great idea, thanks. I've been to the pool in Venice and it is outside, so you're right they will have rules for outside swimming.

[03bluecoupe]

Originally Posted by macrodome2

Marcopolo- great idea, thanks. I've been to the pool in Venice and it is outside, so you're right they will have rules for outside swimming.

If you find out, please post?

[jambo101]

Most public pools around here will shut down if lightning is in close proximity.

[03bluecoupe]

If you can hear it, it can nail you. how long to wait with no reports - dunno

[DCSjersey]

I seem to recall one of the local weather people saying that lightening can strike 10 miles away from where the storm is. I use to enjoy watching the storm over Punta Gorda from my pool in Rotonda. Now I subscribe to the if you can see or hear it, we're out of the water.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Here is a grim story for you. Our landlord is an attorney. His partner was walking on the beach with family on a sunny day. A bolt of lighting shot down the beach horizontally for 3 miles and struck him and killed him.

[Avalon08]

I was wondering about lightning, too, since I'm a relative newbie. I was walking the dogs tonight and saw what I think is called "heat lightning" in the distance (the sky lights up but there is no thunder, it actually can be quite a show). Is this dangerous, especially when it's way far off on the horizon?

Does lightning strike people at night? Sometimes when you're out walking, a storm will come up suddenly. You usually never hear of people (as opposed to trees or buildings) being struck at night; I was just wondering.