Shocking Lightning Show From The CBS 62 Broadcast Tower

(credit: Jim Madaus/CBS 62)

CBS 62 Chief Meteorologist Jim Madaus captured this stunning series of images from the broadcast tower located at the Southfield studio on 11 Mile around 9:45 p.m.

This storm was part of a low pressure system traveling through the Midwest which will stick around producing more storms this evening.

Lightning Safety

Severe Weather Awareness week starts April 8 in 2013. Here are some facts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help keep you out of danger in a lightning storm.

The principle lightning safety guide is the 30-30 rule. 

The first "30" represents 30 seconds. If the time between when you see the flash and hear the thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. If you haven't already, seek shelter immediately.

The second "30" stands for 30 minutes.

After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter. More than one half of lightning deaths occur after a thunderstorm has passed.

Lightning Facts

According to NOAA.gov, lightning is the result of the buildup and discharge of electrical energy. The air in a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It is this rapid heating of the air that produces the shock wave that results in thunder.

A cloud-to-ground lightning strike begins as an invisible channel of electrically-charged air moving from the cloud toward the ground. When one channel nears an object on the ground, a powerful surge of electricity from the ground moves upward to the clouds and produces the visible lightning strike.

The danger of lightning poses a major threat to mariners. A direct lightning hit can damage or destroy vessels, overload navigational and other electronic systems, and electrocute crew and passengers.

Watch First Forecast at 11 with Jim Madaus each weeknight on CBS 62. Follow @JimMadaus on Twitter.