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Intensive sunshine and severe thunder-
storms during hot summers, extend-
ed rainfall during mild winters – this is
what to expect when the effects of cli-
mate change become evident.
About 2 million lightning strikes are
registered in Germany each year, and
the tendency is rising. Severe thunder-
storms pose a threat to human lives
and cause damage to buildings and
infrastructure: Hail destroys roofs, win-
ter gardens and cars, lightning strikes
cause fire or surge damage to electrical
devices and systems. Surges may occur
even if lightning does not strike in the
immediate vicinity.

This brochure provides information on
the physical basics of lightning: the for-
mation and types of lightning strikes. It
gives tips on how to estimate how far
the lightning flash is from your location
and on what to do in a thunderstorm
to protect human lives and property
from this destructive force of nature.

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