Latest posts for the topic "thunderstorms?"

thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:20:35 GMT

What happens if there's a thunderstorm? Do they close the piste? And will snow melt with all the rain or will piste become too icy? There is thunderstorm forecast where we are next week!

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:35:18 GMT

Thunder does not necessairly mean rain. Thunder is simply warm air meeting cold air, so it can thunder and snow. You won't have problems with pistes closing. I have just been out in a 100kmh wind....they stayed open

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:37:19 GMT

We had a thunderstorm in Courchevel just before Christmas one afternoon and they didn't close the pistes

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:42:06 GMT

Thunder during snowstorms happens occasionally. I think I have heard thunder twice while it has been snowing.

I wouldn't be too worried about using a chair lift, but you wouldn't catch me on a drag lift.

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:03:45 GMT

Trencher wrote:Thunder during snowstorms happens occasionally. I think I have heard thunder twice while it has been snowing.

I wouldn't be too worried about using a chair lift, but you wouldn't catch me on a drag lift.

Why what's the difference apart from touching the floor? Wouldn't the bolt still potentially kill you either way?

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:37:03 GMT

OK, trying to remember my physics here. I am pretty sure that lightning simply wants to ground itself to earth following the easiest path. If on a drag lift, you will offer it a route to earth and there is a strong chance you will take a big hit. However, if suspended from a chairlift, unless you are hit directly (in which case all bets are off) the cable itself will act like a giant conductor and run the charge to earth via the suspension poles or the motors at each end.

You may get some issues if it does earth out through the motors, as I suspect that will cause the lift to stop running and may involve a full evacuation.

Equally if you are in a cable car, and the car gets hit, I suspect it will act like a faraday cage and pass the charge round the occupants of the lift and up to the cable to seek a path to earth.

Hope that is correct, I'm sure someone will correct me if it is wrong.

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:45:37 GMT

If it's nearby I wouldn't want to be in the midde of a wide piste wafting my pole in the air.

Far Queue is pretty much spot on with his assessment of the different lift to get caught on!

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:22:40 GMT

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=lcjhjna9jZE[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=lcjhjna9jZE

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:17:04 GMT

Fq is correct. For all those with a fear of flying will be pleased to hear that when you fly through a thunderstorm the plane gets hit a lot!!!

But as not connected to the ground everyone continues with their gin and tonic...

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:49:41 GMT

lmao What have I started!
I am not concerned about lightening hitting me. For one,it has to be forked to do harm, and secondly, when you think how many metal cars lamposts and what have you are out in every storm and rarely get hit, you know the risk is low. Far more chance of being hit by another car than lightening! Just wondered if we'd lose skiing tim. BUT the forecast has changed again now! LOL
Thanks all for your replies

Re:thunderstorms?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:40:05 GMT

Yes, but disco here in j2ski land you don't just get answers.....you get the full shooting match to bore your mates with....

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:39:17 GMT

lol. Tis good! have to say I have been a "Trip Adviserer" for a long time and no-one replies on there these days. This form is great, quick, friendly replies!

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:04:02 GMT

What make you think that "forked lightening" is the only dangerous type. Bet you would die if you were hit by sheet lightening as well. Also I have been hit in a aircraft by lightening and it made a very nice hole in the tail. "St Elmos fire" is usually very pretty....a sort of pink aura surrounding you BUT can cause catastophic electrical failure to an a/c IF there is any "earthing" around such as really heavy rain and high humidity and you are relatively close to the ground. This is one of the reasons A/c are not generally allowed to land in heavy thunderstorms where lightening is a threat...the results could be "shocking" :cry:

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:11:07 GMT

Sheet lightening is not meant to hit you! However I am genuinely not worried about being hit. As I said, add up how many people get hit by lightening and how many people get hit by cars and the latter far outweighs the former. I had a pony for 18 years and did many a dash up to the field in pouring rain, worried a tree woiuld be hit by lightening and get him. (Horses of course, shelter under the trees!) It never happened, and the bike I was riding up there on was never hit either!! lmao. I am just making a sensible risk assessment.

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:20:28 GMT

wibble )

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:08:43 GMT

Many years ago my Dad was in a jet(cant remember what type) they were struck by lightening, no real damage except the pilots and him all threw up. They were all wearing oxygen masks at the time, so not a pretty sight.

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:18:36 GMT

RoseR wrote:Many years ago my Dad was in a jet(cant remember what type) they were struck by lightening, no real damage except the pilots and him all threw up. They were all wearing oxygen masks at the time, so not a pretty sight.

I've been struck by a new batch of Schnapps before. Likewise it had the same effect on the whole group, as we walked home from the Bacchus Celler in Prutz. Luckily we were not wearing oxygen mask at the time.

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:13:32 GMT

Trencher wrote:

RoseR wrote:Many years ago my Dad was in a jet(cant remember what type) they were struck by lightening, no real damage except the pilots and him all threw up. They were all wearing oxygen masks at the time, so not a pretty sight.

I've been struck by a new batch of Schnapps before. Likewise it had the same effect on the whole group, as we walked home from the Bacchus Celler in Prutz. Luckily we were not wearing oxygen mask at the time.

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:15:24 GMT

LOL@ all

Re:thunderstorms?

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:16:20 GMT

Trencher wrote:

RoseR wrote:Many years ago my Dad was in a jet(cant remember what type) they were struck by lightening, no real damage except the pilots and him all threw up. They were all wearing oxygen masks at the time, so not a pretty sight.

I've been struck by a new batch of Schnapps before. Likewise it had the same effect on the whole group, as we walked home from the Bacchus Celler in Prutz. Luckily we were not wearing oxygen mask at the time.

:lol: :lol: :lol: