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
Satellite weather map of the UK and western Europe showing rain bands across Britain, a rain cloud icon over Scotland, and a thunderstorm icon near Belgium and northern France on Wednesday 13.05.
Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Hail also possible

Thunderstorm risk for parts of the UK
Temperature map of Europe showing thermometers. Warm air is found in the south, with cooler temperatures in Central Europe.
Thursday, 14 May 2026

Contrasts in Europe

Early summer around the Mediterranean
Radar image showing a thunderstorm cell over northern Italy, near Brescia and Bergamo. Next to it, several large white hailstones in a hand.
Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Severe storms in Italy

Damage caused by large hailstones
All weather news
This might also interest you
Illustration of white and yellow fireworks on a blue background.
Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Hello 2026

Happy New Year
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
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
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