My mum always said we had to open windows during a thunderstorm? Has anyone else heard of this and why??

Answer 1

she probably said it because of the pressure difference between the outside, and the inside of your house. during a thunder storm there is a large low pressure system outside and opening the windows might prevent them from blowing out due to the higher pressure in the house.. but this is of course an old wives tale.... doesn't really work... (whens the last time anybody's windows blew out during a storm?

Answer 2

Your "MUM" needs a lesson in weather, physics, and common sense.

Decades and ages ago, there was this myth that when a thunderstorm or tornado passed over a house, the house would explode due to the rapid, intense change in pressure inside the house.

This is not true. It would be if a house was completely air-tight, and no building is.

As far as flying glass, if a tornado or a strong, gusty thunderstorm comes thru, I'd worry more flying debris. if your windows break during a storm, some of the house structure itself would be damaged too, maybe by trees. In a tornado, an open window would be worthless too. In that case, look out not only for flying glass, but for flying houses.

Besides...why would anyone in their right mind keep a window open when windswept rain is just outside your window?

Answer 3

Some believe opening a window(s) during a storm or hurricane or tornado will equalize the pressure in the house and prevent the roof from getting torn off or windows blown out. This is FALSE!!

A house is not sealed well enough for the pressure to build up inside, even with all the windows and doors shut. See the link...

Answer 4

This is a precaution against a phenomena called ball lightening which I understand to be a ball of plasma created by the thunderstorm and opening the windows gives it a free run through the house without breaking windows.

Answer 5

I have also heard of this before. I have lived in Florida my entire life except for a brief 1 year in Oklahoma and in Oklahoma they always crack the windows. They believe the pressure from the storms and any oncoming tornados will help to leasten the damage and glass going everywhere. In Florida the only time we open or crack a window is if there is a Tornado Warning, and most times even then we do not do it.

I think it is a matter of where you are and how bad the storms and tornados are.

Hope this helps,
Bobbi-Jo :)

Answer 6

My mother's take was close all windows and doors. Draw the curtains, cover over the mirrors with blankets and stay away from the windows.
Result two sisters frightened of storms. Me I used to go behind the curtains and watch the storm, I have always loved them. A relative told me they were electrical discharges when I was very small, and as I was so fascinated with electricity (lots of shocks before age five to prove it) this was my chance to see it in action.
My mother never knew, she was hiding under the bedcovers with my sisters.

Answer 7

Its call paranoia. The thought was so the wind did not blow in the glass...this however is a rather extreme thing to do for every storm!!!!!! Only if the news has indicated high winds, and even then today's windows can withstand any regular storm.

Answer 8

I never heard of this before. However, you should NOT open windows during a tornado. This would actually make things worse.

Answer 9

I've never heard of this for thunderstorms, but you would do it for tornados to prevent the wind pressure from breaking the windows.

Answer 10

When i was a kid we had a coal fire and when it thundered my mum used to open the windows and the door in case a lightening ball came down the chimney and it needed a space to get out of the house, ah the days of innocence where did they go ?