About this episode

This episode discusses lightning safety and injury prevention with experts in the field.

This week's WeatherBrains episode is all about lightning. Joining us tonight will be Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, internationally recognized for her work in lightning injury prevention. She's an emergency physician, and has received awards from both the medical and the lightning communities. She has a BS in biochemistry and completed her medical internship in Cincinnati. We are also joined by John Jensenius, longtime NWS meteorologist and lightning safety specialist. He's been in the weather business for over four decades. We will discuss lightning injuries, safety, myths, and how to better protect people during thunderstorms. Thanks for joining us! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Getting the media involved in lightning safety (24:30) Annual lighting fatalities and average trends (25:30) 30/30 lightning rule (34:00) "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors" (37:30) Lightning back to basics: Voltage, temps, thunder, ect (39:30) What is a flashover? (46:30) Lasting nervous system injuries after lightning strike (01:01:00) "The Deadly Dozen" (01:10:30) Lightning safety and cars: What is fact and fiction…

More episodes of WeatherBrains

• WeatherBrains 1070: Snert Storm · July 21, 2026 · 1h 44m
• WeatherBrains 1069: We're In The Weird Zone · July 14, 2026 · 1h 31m
• WeatherBrains 1068: They Kicked Booty · July 7, 2026 · 1h 35m
• WeatherBrains 1067: I'll Go With Fujita For $1000 · June 30, 2026 · 1h 39m
• WeatherBrains 1066: Bladder of Iron · June 23, 2026 · 1h 50m
• WeatherBrains 1065: Smells Like Texas In Here · June 12, 2026 · 1h 47m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the WeatherBrains podcast page.