Quick Answer
While a car can provide temporary protection from wind and rain, it's not a safe place to stay during a lightning storm due to the risk of electrical shock from a lightning strike on the vehicle.
Lightning Strike Risk
If you’re caught in a car during a lightning storm, the National Weather Service estimates that the odds of being struck are about 1 in 700,000. However, if you’re in a vehicle that’s struck, your risk of being injured or killed increases significantly. This is because a lightning strike can conduct electricity through metal objects like the car’s frame and electrical systems.
Safety Risks Inside a Car
When a lightning strike hits a car, it can cause electrical currents to flow through the metal frame, posing a significant risk of electrical shock to occupants. This can lead to cardiac arrest, burns, and other serious injuries. Additionally, the loud clap of thunder can cause hearing damage.
Safe Alternation: Leaving the Car
If you’re in a car during a lightning storm, the safest course of action is to leave the vehicle and seek shelter in a nearby building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Avoid seeking shelter under trees or in open areas like fields or beaches. If you can’t leave the car, crouch low in the vehicle with your feet together, avoiding contact with metal objects like the car’s frame or door handles. Do not lie flat, as this can increase your risk of injury from a lightning strike.
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