Summer Safety Tips: Lightning Safety.

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

High-risk areas for attracting a return current or lightning strike are tall mountain peaks, ridges, and above treeline terrain.

Summer Safety Tips: Lightning Safety. 

It's officially summertime in Upstate South Carolina, which means more time outdoors! Unfortunately, warmer weather means pop-up thunderstorms. Whether you are hiking, camping, boating, fishing, or swimming, the potential for a bolt of lightning to strike you is something that you should always take seriously. 

You should avoid being outside during a lightning storm. Check the weather first and decide if you need to change your plans for the day. Head back inside early if you see dark clouds forming and hear thunder in the distance. Reducing and managing the risk of getting struck by lightning is possible through a few safety procedures. Below are a couple of tips you can use if you find yourself suddenly caught in a lightning storm. 

Mountains 

High-risk areas for attracting a return current or lightning strike are tall mountain peaks, ridges, and above treeline terrain. In Upstate South Carolina, quick pop-up afternoon storms create the perfect conditions for lightning to strike. These pop-up storms typically arrive in the afternoon, but it is not uncommon for them to begin earlier in the day. If you're out hiking and you hear thunder above the treeline, turn around immediately and get back to the shelter of the treeline. Never hide in the entrance of a cave. 

If you see sparks on metal objects or your hair begins to stand up, this is called a corona- which means that your body is signaling towards an imminent strike. If this happens, drop everything metal and crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears; so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground. This position is called the lightning safety position. 

If you are camping, remember you should never pitch tents above the treeline. If you cannot avoid an exposed campsite, then you must get out of the tent and move at least 50 meters away in the event of a storm. Wait in the lightning position until the storm has passed. 

Rolling Hills and Gentle Terrian 

It is rare that lightning strikes in this type of terrain. Run for shelter if you hear thunder, but if you see lightning striking nearby, get in the lightning position. 

Fields 

If you are out in an open field during a lightning storm, move more than 50 meters away from conductors such as fences and irrigation pipes, these attract lightning. Do not seek shelter under trees or by telephone poles if they are too close to a fence or irrigation pipes. 

Forests

Do not take shelter under a lone tall tree during a lightning storm. However, uniform canopy forests are much less at risk of attracting lightning. Avoid trunks of large trees, but it is better to be under that type of shelter instead of out in the open. 

Water 

Swimming in a pool or boating on flat water such as lakes, wide rivers, or the ocean leaves you exposed to lightning strikes. Plan aquatic activities around the weather, and if you hear thunder in the distance or you see dark clouds forming, get to shore as quickly as possible.