Home
Weather New York
WeatherRadar
RainRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Dos and don'ts during lightning

01:00 PM
July 19, 2022

Thunderstorms & safety
Dos and don'ts during lightning

Thunderstorm safety

As we move through the spring, thunderstorms are in the forecast for parts of the U.S. almost daily. Here is a quick summary of Dos and Don'ts to stay safe during thunderstorms.

When thunderstorms are in the area you should seek protection as quickly as possible.

It is most dangerous during a thunderstorm while in the open water. Even if a lightning strikes 350 feet away, the current is still transmitted through the water and can affect the entire body. Then there is an acute danger to life.

If there is an unexpected thunderstorm in the open field, you should always crouch down and then wait for the thunderstorm with your legs tightly closed. If you spread your legs, a so-called step voltage can occur when lightning strikes in the immediate vicinity. But you can stay weather aware and keep an eye out for lightning on our WeatherRadar.

Certain tall and risky objects should be avoided. These are single trees, groups of trees, or poles. A distance of at least 32 feet is optimal. In the interior of a forest with a consistently high stock of trees, the risk is lower than with individual groups of trees.

A house offers the greatest protection. However, you should avoid contact with all metal lines such as gas, electricity, and telephone lines. Mobile phones may be used. Bathing or showering during a thunderstorm is not safe.

Stay alert, activate severe weather notifications on the Weather&Radar app, and be safe!

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
Hurricane Polo remains dangerous. Active Pacific. . . Thursday, September 24, 2026
Thursday, September 24, 2026

Active Pacific

Hurricane Polo remains dangerous
Record ocean heat halting hurricanes. Strong El Niño influence. . . Sunday, September 13, 2026
A weather map shows a calm Atlantic Ocean with no hurricanes, alongside a picture of the sea.
Sunday, September 13, 2026

Strong El Niño influence

Record ocean heat halting hurricanes
Hurricane parade in the Pacific. Karina is very strong. . Weather Videos. Tuesday, September 1, 2026
WindRadar for Friday, showing the three hurricanes – Lowell, Karina and Maria – over the Pacific.
Weather VideosTuesday, September 1, 2026

Karina is very strong

Hurricane parade in the Pacific
All weather news
This might also interest you
Fall fronts bring big changes. How to track them. . . Friday, October 16, 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026

How to track them

Fall fronts bring big changes
Tropical moisture meets cold air. First snow of the season. . . Saturday, October 10, 2026
Saturday, October 10, 2026

First snow of the season

Tropical moisture meets cold air
Isaias post-landfall impacts. Southeast soaker. . . Saturday, October 10, 2026
Southeast impacts of Isaias
Saturday, October 10, 2026

Southeast soaker

Isaias post-landfall impacts
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

instagramfacebookthreadslinkList