National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Lightning Safety Outdoors

INTRODUCTION

The capricious nature of thunderstorms cannot guarantee you absolute protection from a lightning strike, however, being aware of, and following proven lightning safety guidelines can reduce the risk of injury or death.

Remember, you are ultimately responsible for your personal safety and you have the right to take appropriate action when threatened by lightning.

Welcome to the OUTDOOR LIGHTNING SAFETY section of the Colorado Lightning Resource Page. This document has 2 primary sections. Section 1 discusses lightning safety outdoors when a safe location is nearby. Section 2 of this document discusses lightning safety outdoors when a safe location is not nearby.

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Definition of a Safe Location during Lightning activity

No place is absolutely safe from lightning. However, some places are much safer than others.

Before discussing lightning safety outdoors, we need to define what a safe location is. The safest location to be in during lightning activity is:

1. An enclosed building,

while the second safest location to be in is:

2. An enclosed metal vehicle.

You want to be able to reach one of these locations if you are outside and lightning begins to occur.

What is a safe enclosed building?
What is a safe enclosed metal vehicle?

Not all types of buildings or vehicles are safe during lightning activity. Click on the links below for examples of unsafe building to be under during lightning activity, and unsafe vehicles to be in during lightning activity:

Unsafe Buildings
Unsafe Vehicles

Go to:

SECTION 1: Lightning safety outdoors when a safe location IS nearby.

SECTION 2: Lightning safety outdoors when a safe location IS NOT nearby