Lightning safety outdoors

The direct answer

Check current official information before going out

Check the forecast and active alerts for the actual location and time of the activity. Identify a safe building or vehicle before you begin, and allow enough time for every person in the group to reach it.

• National Weather Service active alertsCurrent U.S. weather alerts.
• National Weather Service lightning safetyOfficial lightning-safety guidance.

Why thunder changes the decision

If thunder is audible, the storm is close enough for lightning to be a threat. Waiting until rain is heavy or lightning appears overhead delays the move to safety.

The safest action is not a different outdoor path. It is reaching an appropriate building or enclosed metal-topped vehicle and remaining there until the storm has passed.

Conditions and shelter access vary by place

The forecast at home may differ from the forecast at a trail, field, lake, beach, or hill. Open terrain, water, ridge tops, isolated trees, and long distances from safe shelter can leave little margin once thunder begins.

When to stop immediately

Adjustments are for planning—not for staying outside

Before thunder begins, reasonable choices include moving the activity earlier, shortening it so shelter remains close, selecting a venue with an appropriate shelter plan, moving indoors, or postponing.

Guidance by outdoor activity

• Walking and running: stop the route and enter the nearest appropriate safe building or vehicle.
• Cycling and skating: stop riding and reach a safe building or enclosed metal-topped vehicle; an open shelter is not sufficient.
• Dog walking: bring the dog into the safe building or vehicle with you rather than sheltering under a tree or open structure.
• Families and teams: account for the slowest person and the time needed to move the entire group to safety.
• Beaches, lakes, and fields: leave the open area early enough to reach an appropriate shelter before the storm arrives.

What not to do

• Do not shelter under an isolated tree, open picnic shelter, dugout, tent, or small overhang.
• Do not stay on a ridge, hilltop, open field, beach, or near water.
• Do not assume a bicycle, motorcycle, stroller, or open vehicle is safe shelter.
• Do not keep moving because the rain has not started.
• Do not resume when thunder is still audible.

Emergency response

If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge and can be touched, but the surrounding storm may still endanger rescuers—move to safety as soon as emergency care allows.

When activity may resume

Official resources and sources

• National Weather Service lightning safetyThe national lightning-safety hub.
• NWS: Lightning Safety OutdoorsPlanning, shelter, activity scenarios, and the 30-minute wait.
• National Weather Service active alertsCurrent U.S. weather alerts.

Related LocalCelest guides

• Watches, warnings and advisoriesHow to read the complete current alert.
• Flooding and standing waterWhy floodwater is another stop signal outdoors.
• Heat and sun safetyWhen heat allows adjustment and when it calls for postponement or stopping.