TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Thunder storm mortality: Issues of medicolegal concern JO - Medicine, science, and the law A1 - Byard, Roger W. SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - Thunderstorms refer to atmospheric disturbances that are associated with electrical discharges in the form of lightning, with acoustic effects from thunder. They involve the rapid upward movement of warm, moist air which then cools and condenses creating typical cumulonimbus clouds with precipitation. Thunderstorms range in severity but are usually associated with heavy rains, winds and sometimes sleet, hail and snow. If the intensity of a storm increases there may be tornadoes or cyclones. In cases with lightning strikes and minimal or no rain there is an associated risk for the development of quite devastating wild (bush) fires. Lightning strikes may also be associated with the development, or an exacerbation, of potentially lethal natural cardiac or respiratory diseases.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0025-8024 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00258024231169230 ID - ref1 ER -