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

    Thunderstorms & safety: Dos and don'ts during lightning

07:00
25 June 2023

Thunderstorms & safety
Dos and don'ts during lightning

Storm safety tips

With thunderstorms in the forecast, check out our quick summary of dos and don'ts in order to stay safe during severe weather.

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 100 metres 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. Otherwise, a so-called step voltage can occur when lightning strikes in the immediate vicinity.

You can stay weather aware and keep an eye out for lightning on our WeatherRadar, where you can track lightning live, in addition to on our LightningRadar.

Certain tall and risky objects should be avoided. These are single trees, groups of trees, or poles. A distance of at least 10 metres 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!

Activate your severe weather alertsread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Weather map of the USA showing an active thunderstorm front between Kansas City and Minneapolis. Numerous lightning symbols indicate severe thunderstorms, along with a severe weather warning symbol.
Monday, 18 May 2026

Tornadoes possible

Dangerous thunderstorm front over the US
Split graphic showing a warm temperature map of the UK on the left with temperatures reaching 30°C near London, and a person applying sunscreen in bright sunshine on the right beside a thermometer icon.
Thursday, 21 May 2026

Combating UV

Staying sun safe as heat rises
Split image showing a warm temperature map across the UK and western Europe on the left and a bright sun shining through scattered clouds in a blue sky on the right.
Friday, 15 May 2026

Much warmer bank holiday

Heatwave? We're not quite there yet
All weather news
This might also interest you
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Split image showing a person in a yellow jacket struggling against strong winds and heavy rain on a street at night on the left, and an Irish wind forecast map on the right with red and purple shading, gusts up to 75 mph, and a wind warning icon, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday, 24 January 2026

On this day...

Historic Storm Éowyn arrives
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
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

facebooktwittertikToklinkList