Is waiting out a storm outdoors ever advisable?

Lightning Safety Considerations

When faced with a storm, it’s crucial to assess the risk of lightning strikes. If you’re outdoors, look for signs such as darkening skies, increasing wind, and a decrease in temperature. These indicators may be subtle, but they can signal an impending storm. A general rule of thumb is that if you hear thunder, see lightning, or experience wind gusts of 30 miles per hour or more, it’s time to seek shelter.

Identifying Safe Shelters

In the event of a storm, a vehicle can be a safe place to ride out the lightning. However, the vehicle must meet specific criteria: it must be a hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. A soft-top vehicle or a vehicle with an open window is not safe. If you’re in a vehicle, avoid driving and stay away from tall objects such as trees, power lines, or light poles. If you’re in a building, avoid windows and doors, and stay away from conductive objects such as faucets.

Lightning Strike Safety Distances

One of the most critical factors in determining the safety of a location is the distance from the lightning strike. Generally, a lightning strike can heat the air around it to 50,000 degrees Celsius, hotter than the surface of the sun. To put this in perspective, the safety distance from a lightning strike is typically measured in thousands of feet. For example, a lightning strike can cause damage up to 450 feet away from the strike point, making it crucial to err on the side of caution and seek shelter immediately.