Incredible meteorological display caught on video this week over Yellowstone National Park’s north entrance where a massive double rainbow was momentarily outshone by a lightning strike.
Lightning strikes are among the brightest natural phenomena observable from Earth’s surface (visible up to 100 miles away under optimal night conditions) while rainbows are fundamentally limited by the intensity of sunlight and the efficiency of light scattering and refraction by raindrops.
When paired in the same sky, lightning displays far more luminosity than rainbows and easily outshine the multicolored arcs in the sky.
If you encounter lightning while recreating outdoors remember the National Park’s saying “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” and seek shelter. The best method to protect yourself from a lightning strike is to avoid the threat. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning please remember: There is NO PLACE outside that is safe during a thunderstorm!
National Park Service Guidelines To Thunderstorm Safety If Caught Outdoors:
- Keep moving towards safe shelter. If you are caught out in the open, do not stop.
- Stay away from isolated trees or other tall objects. You do not want to be the tallest object! If you are in a forest, stay within a lower group of trees.
- Avoid open fields, hills, boulder fields, rocky outcrops, and ridge tops. Do not lie flat on the ground.
- Avoid bodies of water and metal objects, which can conduct electricity.
- Distance yourself from others in your group. Spread out so that at most only one person is likely to be hurt by lightning and the others can apply first aid.
