Why Is Lightning Dangerous in the Mountains?
Thunderstorms are a serious hazard in mountainous terrain. Lightning can strike exposed ridges, peaks, rocky outcrops, open slopes, and other locations where hikers may be particularly vulnerable.
Mountain weather can change rapidly, and thunderstorms may develop even when conditions initially appear favourable.
Lightning does not always strike the highest point directly beneath a storm. It can also strike some distance from the main area of rainfall, meaning that clear skies overhead do not necessarily indicate safety.
The most effective way to protect yourself is to avoid being exposed to a thunderstorm in the first place.
What Increases the Risk of a Lightning Strike?
The following locations and situations are particularly hazardous during thunderstorms:
- Mountain peaks, ridges, and exposed high ground.
- Open slopes and treeless areas.
- Isolated tall trees and other prominent objects.
- Rocky outcrops and exposed cliffs.
- Lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
- Areas near metal fences, poles, and other conductive structures.
A tent does not provide reliable protection from lightning. Neither do open shelters, small huts without appropriate lightning protection, or shallow rock overhangs.
How to Reduce the Risk of Lightning During a Hike
- Check the Weather Forecast
Before setting out, check the weather forecast for thunderstorms and changing mountain conditions.
Pay particular attention to forecasts for the afternoon, when thunderstorms frequently develop in mountainous regions.
If thunderstorms are expected, consider postponing the hike, choosing a safer route, or cancelling the trip.
- Plan Your Route
Identify potential safe shelters along the route before beginning the hike.
Avoid routes that require you to remain on exposed ridges or summits when thunderstorms are forecast.
Allow enough time to descend from exposed terrain before a storm arrives. Do not rely on reaching the summit and returning before the weather changes.
- Recognise the Warning Signs
Watch for darkening skies, developing thunderclouds, distant lightning, and sudden changes in wind.
If you hear thunder or see lightning, treat it as an immediate warning.
Do not wait until the rain begins or the storm appears directly overhead.
If you hear thunder, stop the hike and seek safe shelter immediately.
- Choose Appropriate Shelter
The safest places during a thunderstorm are substantial, enclosed buildings and fully enclosed vehicles with hard roofs.
A tent is not a safe substitute for a building or vehicle.
If you are on a mountain route and cannot reach appropriate shelter, move away from exposed high ground as quickly as you safely can.
What to Do If You Are Caught in a Thunderstorm
If a thunderstorm develops while you are hiking:
- Leave mountain peaks, ridges, and exposed high ground as quickly as possible.
- Seek a substantial enclosed building or a fully enclosed vehicle with a hard roof.
- Stay away from isolated trees, rocky outcrops, open shelters, metal structures, and bodies of water.
- Do not remain on a summit or continue towards an exposed viewpoint.
- If you are hiking in a group, spread out rather than remaining clustered together, so that one lightning strike is less likely to injure everyone.
- Do not lie flat on the ground. If no safe shelter is available, continue towards the safest accessible location. Remember that no outdoor position can guarantee protection from lightning.
If you are in a forest and cannot reach a building or vehicle, an area among lower trees may be preferable to an exposed clearing or the vicinity of an isolated tall tree. However, a forest is not a safe substitute for proper shelter.
Avoid taking shelter beneath cliffs or overhangs, as these may expose you to additional hazards.
Once you reach safe shelter, remain there for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activity.
What Should You Do If Someone Is Struck by Lightning?
A lightning strike can cause cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties, burns, neurological injuries, and injuries resulting from a fall.
A person struck by lightning does not retain an electrical charge and can be touched safely.
Immediate first aid can save their life.
Step 1. Make Sure the Scene Is as Safe as Possible
Check whether lightning continues to threaten the area.
If the victim is in an extremely exposed location, move them to a safer place if this can be done without creating an unacceptable risk to yourself or the group.
Do not put yourself in unnecessary danger while attempting a rescue.
Step 2. Call Emergency Services
Contact the local emergency services as soon as possible.
Provide your location as accurately as possible, describe the incident, and report the victim’s condition.
If you are in a remote mountain area, explain the access difficulties and any other hazards that could affect the rescue.
Step 3. Check Responsiveness and Breathing
Check whether the person responds and whether they are breathing normally.
If the person is unresponsive and is not breathing normally, cardiac arrest may have occurred.
Step 4. Begin CPR if Necessary
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available, following its instructions.
If you are trained in resuscitation, follow your training. If you are not trained, the emergency dispatcher can guide you through the appropriate steps.
Continue resuscitation until the person shows signs of life, professional rescuers take over, or you can no longer continue safely.
Step 5. Treat Other Injuries
Lightning may cause burns, injuries from falls, and other trauma.
Once immediate life-threatening problems have been addressed:
- Check for visible injuries and burns.
- Cover burns with a clean, dry dressing when appropriate.
- Keep the person warm and protected from the elements.
- Monitor their breathing and level of consciousness.
- Avoid unnecessary movement if a serious injury to the head, neck, or spine is suspected.
A person struck by lightning needs urgent medical assessment even if they appear to recover quickly.
Do not bury the victim in soil, pour water over them as a treatment for the lightning strike, or delay resuscitation while attempting traditional remedies.
Important First-Aid Principles
Remember these essential rules:
- A lightning-strike victim can be touched safely.
- Call emergency services promptly.
- Check responsiveness and breathing.
- Begin CPR when indicated and use an AED if available.
- Protect the victim from further environmental hazards.
- Do not delay emergency care in favour of ineffective treatments.
Final Safety Reminder
Lightning is one of the most serious weather hazards encountered in the mountains. A storm can develop quickly, and exposed terrain offers very little protection.
Check the forecast before every hike, leave exposed areas at the first sign of a thunderstorm, and never assume that a tent, a lone tree, or a rocky overhang will keep you safe. If a storm is approaching, prioritise getting to appropriate shelter over completing the route.
