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

What are weather fronts?. Weather explained. . . Saturday, October 24, 2026
Image of a temperature radar showing a clear distinction between a warm and cold air mass separated by a cold front.
Saturday, October 24, 2026

Weather explained

What are weather fronts?
Lowest temperature is just after sunrise. Coldest time of the day. . . Sunday, October 18, 2026
setting-sun
Sunday, October 18, 2026

Coldest time of the day

Lowest temperature is just after sunrise
Hurricane Polo remains dangerous. Active Pacific. . . Thursday, September 24, 2026
Thursday, September 24, 2026

Active Pacific

Hurricane Polo remains dangerous
All weather news

This might also interest you

Soggy double whammy. WeatherFeed. . . Friday, October 30, 2026
Friday, October 30, 2026

WeatherFeed

Soggy double whammy
Severe risk in southern Rockies. Large hail, tornadoes. . . Friday, October 23, 2026
Friday, October 23, 2026

Large hail, tornadoes

Severe risk in southern Rockies
Growing season slowly concludes. 1st frost not everywhere. . . Monday, October 26, 2026
Monday, October 26, 2026

1st frost not everywhere

Growing season slowly concludes
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