Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety Outdoors
Learn how to stay safe in a lightning storm outside. This guide covers planning, shelter options, and actions to take during a thunderstorm, with practical tips for park days and picnics.
Contents
- Is it dangerous to be outside in a thunderstorm?
- How to stay safe in a lightning storm outside
- Safest place to be outside in a thunderstorm
- Thunderstorm safety outdoors: planning and preparation
- How to survive a thunderstorm outside: the lightning crouch and other measures
- Thunderstorm safety outside: coordinating with your group
Is it dangerous to be outside in a thunderstorm?
Yes, being outside in a thunderstorm is dangerous. Lightning can strike from up to 10 miles away from rainfall, and thunder means lightning is close enough to strike you. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance. According to the National Weather Service, lightning kills about 20 people and injures hundreds more in the United States each year, and the vast majority of these incidents occur outdoors. The danger is not just from direct strikes; ground current and side flashes can injure people near a strike. Therefore, when a thunderstorm approaches, the safest action is to seek proper shelter immediately. The best shelters are substantial buildings with plumbing and wiring, or enclosed, hard-topped vehicles with metal roofs and sides. If these are not available, you must take steps to minimize your risk in the open.
How to stay safe in a lightning storm outside
If you are caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, your priority is to get to a safe place. Follow these steps:
- Monitor weather alerts: Before heading out, check the forecast and have a way to receive weather alerts on your phone or a NOAA weather radio.
- Seek substantial shelter: When you hear thunder, immediately go to a substantial building (one with walls, a roof, and electrical/plumbing systems) or an enclosed, hard-topped vehicle. Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.
- Avoid unsafe structures: Do not use open-sided shelters, picnic pavilions, tents, or convertibles. These do not protect you from lightning.
- If no safe shelter is available: Get away from high ground, open areas, isolated trees, and metal objects. Crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet together, tuck your head, and cover your ears. This position reduces your height and the risk of ground current. Do not lie flat.
- Stay away from water and conductors: Avoid bodies of water, wet items, fences, power lines, and metal structures that can conduct electricity.
- Spread out if in a group: Separate from others by at least 20 feet to reduce the risk of multiple casualties from a single strike.
Safest place to be outside in a thunderstorm
The safest place to be outside in a thunderstorm is inside a substantial building or an enclosed, hard-topped vehicle. If you cannot reach these, your goal is to find the lowest risk area in the terrain you are in. A low-lying area such as a valley or ravine is safer than a hilltop, but avoid areas that may collect water. A dense forest in a uniform area of smaller trees is safer than standing near isolated tall trees or in an open field. However, no outdoor location is completely safe; you should always seek proper shelter whenever possible.
Thunderstorm safety outdoors: planning and preparation
Proper planning can make your park day or picnic both enjoyable and safe. Here is how to prepare for the possibility of thunderstorms:
| Item | Importance | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Weather app with alerts | High | Enable notifications for lightning alerts before you leave. |
| Identification of nearby shelters | High | Upon arrival, note the location of buildings or your vehicle. |
| Emergency plan for the group | High | Designate a meeting point or action if a storm hits. |
| Rain gear and quick-dry clothing | Medium | Keep in a backpack for comfort, not lightning protection. |
| NOAA weather radio | Medium | Useful in areas with poor cell coverage. |
| First aid kit | Medium | Include supplies for lightning-related injuries (CPR mask, burn dressing). |
How to survive a thunderstorm outside: the lightning crouch and other measures
If you are caught in an open area with no shelter, the lightning crouch is a last-resort position that may reduce your risk. To perform it: squat down with your feet together, keep your heels off the ground, tuck your head, and cover your ears. This minimizes your contact with the ground and lowers your height. It is not as safe as being in a shelter, but it is better than standing tall or lying flat. Remember to stay away from isolated trees, metal objects, and water. If you are in a forest, seek a low area under a dense growth of small trees.
Thunderstorm safety outside: coordinating with your group
Before your outing, agree on a thunderstorm plan. Identify the nearest safe shelter and ensure everyone knows how to get there. If you are with children or pets, keep them close and move quickly. If someone is struck by lightning, they do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch. Call 911 immediately and provide first aid. Victims may suffer cardiac arrest or burns; CPR and prompt medical attention are critical.