Governor George Pataki has proclaimed the week of March 18 th through 24 th as Weather Hazards Awareness Week in the Empire State.
All thunderstorms contain lightning.
Last year, two people were hospitalized after being struck by lightning on a golf course in Erie County. Lightning is caused by the action of rising and descending air within a thunderstorm which separates positive and negative charges. When the buildup of those charges overcome the natural resistance of air molecules, an electrical discharge results. The lightning flash also heats the air to 50,000 degrees, and the resulting shock wave is heard as a clap of thunder. While thunder can be loud and frightening, it poses no danger.