Hi Joe

I was close to a strike 2 years ago up here when our pylon was struck in
"freak weather central" (Aberfeldy) and the first thing I heard was a sizzle
noise too before the flash and immediate bang. I guess you aint been close
to lightning unless you've heard the sizzle!

brian




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"Joe" wrote in message
...
Hello All,

Nearly got killed today by lightning bolt, seriously !

I don't know whether it would be called a thunderstorm or a thundery
shower. The cell came directly over Wolverhampton city centre, plenty
of C-G , pea size hail and torrential rain. Roads like rivers.

The storm started at about 1555, and was still on at 1615 when I left
the city centre.

I was on a bus going home, waiting at traffic lights and not more than
20 feet in front of the bus, a lightning bolt struck a water drain. I
first heard a sizzling sound, then there was a big bang that shook the
whole bus, windows rattling, and a brilliant flash at the same time.
The next thing I saw was a drain flying through the air and landing on
the pavement, luckily it didn't hit anybody or any vehicles but it left
a big hole at the side of the road.

I think it may be a possibly that the no body on the bus was
electrocuted because of the rubber tyres and the metal frame of the bus
acting as a faraday cage.

That the closest I've come to a thunderbolt, and I hope that I don't
experience it again. Phew!!!

Plenty of flood water between one and two feet deep, on the way home
mainly under railway bridges

Joe
Wolverhampton
Here by the grace of God !