There are several safety measures campers should be prepared for during any season in any region of the world. During the springtime, nature blooms in full force for you to deal with, such as plant species and bugs. In summer, the main concern should be staying hydrated for the duration of your outing. Fall brings rough winds and migratory animals that you should be prepared to interact with. Winter is, in most places, just very cold. But every season has one issue most campers forget to prepare for and are often left vulnerable; lightning storms. The question is, can you be struck by lightning in a tent?
You can be struck by lightning when camping in a tent. While it all depends on the materials you have, your location, and the objects you are near, it is entirely possible the lightning will find its way to you.
There are various questions campers ask when facing a storm, and in the next few minutes, you’ll find most of those questions answered. With that, let’s dive in!
Do Tents Attract Lightning?
Tents alone don’t attract lightning on their own unless they’re in prime conditions for any general lightning strike. Tents are more likely to attract lightning when they become wet. When a tents guy lines and poles become wet they aren’t more likely to attract lightning they just become better conductors for electricity, this means the strike would become more lethal if it did strike the area.
Typically, lightning is trying to reach the ground as fast as possible, if your tent is on an open area above the ground your likely it will strike. Aim to make your tent less likely to attract lightning by heading off into low lying locations if possible. Finding a shelter such as a vehicle is highly recommended.
Am I Safe In A Tent During A Thunderstorm?
Safety is defined as “being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss” (Merriam-Webster 2020). Are you safe in a tent in a thunderstorm? No. No place outside can be undeniably safe from lightning given all the criteria a strike has to have, but that doesn’t mean you should do it without being prepared and aware of the consequences.
Can You Lightning Proof A Tent?
You can lightning proof a tent to a point, but it requires a lot of research and work to make certain you’re doing your best to avoid a strike. Here are a few things you’d want to consider changing in your trusty tent if you anticipate roughing through a thunderstorm.
- Wooden pegs
- Aluminum poles–but do not insulate the bottoms, as the lightning can jump from the sudden stop to you.
- Avoid/remove all metal bracing poles
- Consider a more compact layout to be a smaller target
Now that some of those questions have been answered, let’s look into what steps you can reasonably take before and during a thunderstorm as a camper caught in nature.
5 Things To Do When Tent Camping In A Thunderstorm
If you find that you’ll be caught in a thunderstorm, whether with an hour or day’s notice, be sure to go through a strict checklist to keep as safe as you can.
1. Place your campsite in a lightning-safe location
- Do not be on the high ground. This is the only time Obiwan’s advice will hurt you.
- Stay away from the tallest/thickest trees
- Keep clear of power sources (like a generator)
- Do not be near isolated targets (a lone tree, in a clear field, etc)
(Some information found from Lightning safety: camping, 2020)
2. Have a suitable location to evacuate to if the storm gets sever
- Go to a building with wiring but not concrete flooring (Lightning Tips, 2020)
- Stay in an all-metal vehicle
3. Be small and short in any environment
Let’s say the storm came on too suddenly. What can you do when you’re not quite prepared for that? In the case you’re not prepared with any extra items mentioned above, but you’re in a relatively safe area (not isolated, near tall trees, etc), here’s what you can do.
4. While in a tent, stay off the ground and wear boots.
5. Don’t sleep next to a radio or other electronics
If it’s any bigger than the size of your hand, keep it away during a storm (Lightning Tips, 2020).
Rooftop Tent During Lightning, What To Do?
When camping in a rooftop tent during a lightning storm it is best to get inside the vehicle to keep safe. Being inside a vehicle during a lightning storm you are safe from being struck. If lightning struck a car it would travel the outside of the vehicle down into the ground, meaning you inside would never get struck.
Your rooftop tent could be an issue in a lightning storm, your high altitude makes it easier for lightning to find you, plus your sitting on a fully metal object that conducts electricity on it’s exterior. Lightning may strike the tent down through into the vehicle, to eventually reach the ground.
The best thing about rooftop tenting in a lightning storm is your ability to get inside your vehicle. This makes rooftop tenting an extremely safe form of tent camping. Jump in the car and wait it out!
Basic Lightning Safety
During the start of your childhood, you may remember a firefighter or police officer explaining what to do in instances like a lightning strike. For those that may need a refresher, here are some general tips you need to be aware of.
- Lightning strikes the tallest and most active places. Stay away from tall/isolated trees and hills.
- Lightning can travel in water. Do not go near any body of water (puddle to ocean) during a storm.
- Metal and general electric items, when struck with lightning, will cause damage.
- Find a low-level building to seek shelter in, but stay away from windows and bathrooms.
- Stay fully clothed while being as small as possible (inside or outside).
Prime Conditions to be Hit By Lightning
- On a hill
- Isolated from shelter
- Near the tallest trees
- Near an ocean
- Metal poles (act as a lightning rod)
- Near a window
- Being spread out like a snow angel OR standing straight up
Final Thoughts
Long story short, you can camp through a thunderstorm, but there are lots of risks involved. A tent is no substitute for a building, and neither is a car. There are lots of steps you can take to minimize those risks, but it all depends on the situation and location you find yourself in. Always watch the weather up to and during your trip so you can take the appropriate action and camp to your hearts content. The storm severity and your preparedness make the difference, so do your due diligence to make the most of your next trip and be prepared for a storm.