While lightning strikes are more common in the southern part of the province Environment and Climate Change Canada says it’s important for northerners to be cognizant of this weather event and to seek shelter indoors should they encounter it.

 

Meteorologist Terri Lang explains northern Manitoba sees thousands of lightning strikes every year, which can lead to the increased risk of wildfires.

 

Lang adds there are six different ways lightning can cause death or injury to a person.

 

She explains one of the most common ways is through ground current which means the lightning strikes the ground nearby and if you’re standing nearby that current from the lighting goes through your body.  She adds most people think that you get struck by lightning directly and that is not the case, it’s actually quite rare that people are directly struck and if they do they most often are killed.

 

Other ways include side flash, contact, upward leaders, and blunt trauma.