Where is the safest place to be in a thunder storm? Are you safe in a car or under a tree?

Question

Folk say different things

Answer 1

I have studied lightning and of those two options, the Car is by far the safest. When struck, the faraday's cage, and (high frequency) 'skin effect' principles mean that the current should just flash over the metal surface. The tyres are not sufficient to insulate you, after all the current has just arced for many miles through the air (edit: and has a voltage many many times greater than a downed power line), but you are safe in a car generally.

By a tree is absolutely the worst place you can be, firstly due to the current travelling through the sap channels within the trunk, which superheat and can cause an explosion. Flying debris can easily cause serious injury. Current can also arc from the tree, or across the ground immediately after the strike, and hit you if you are close.

If you are in the open, the best position is to kneel down (but not with your feet on the floor because this will 'double earth' you, and form a foetal ball. But you would have to do this for the entire duration of the storm, so I would advocate just trying to get out of the open.

Edit: that's a good point, I never thought about the tree falling on the car. Oh well.

Answer 2

This is true unless you are parked under a large tree, then you run the risk of the tree being struck and knocking a branch or even the entire tree on top of it. Rubber is a very poor conductor, electricity just cannot travel through it. Don't expect rubber soled shoes to save you though, as a large enough jolt, say from touching a shorted out appliance, can arc or jump across the edge of the shoe to the floor. Electricity takes the path of least resistance. If you are sitting in a car during a lightning strike, the lightning will hit something near you that has an easier 'path'.

Answer 3

Trees are bad places to be, because they are really high, so they get hit by lightning a lot. Standing in the open (a granite rock face or field) is also not a good idea, because lightning is attracted to your head when there isn't anything tall around.

Cars are safe, because they form a Faraday Cage, which prevent you from getting electricuted (countrary to popular belief, it is not the rubber tires that keep you safe. Think: if lightning can jump thousands of feet from coluds, what's to keep them from jumping a couple inches to the ground from a car).

If you are in an open field with no way to get elsewhere, your best bet is to lie down flat and wait for the storm to be over.

Houses are also pretty safe, but you might want to turn your computers and electrical appliances off, because there is a danger of a power surge.

Answer 4

Car ... Yes. Tree... NO! Contrary to popular belief, lightning actually strikes from the ground UP.... not down. Trees have been know to be natural conduits for the difference in electrical potential between the ground and the storm. Thus, they get hit allot. Best thing to do is get inside a structure of some sort or a vehicle.

Any vehicle is better than being out in a storm and the rubber in the tires act as an insulator between you and the ground.

You should also not get out of a vehicle near down power lines for the same reason.

Answer 5

Don't go under a tree as trees can attract lightning.

You will be very safe sat in a car because if lightning hits the car it will travel around the body of the car and then to earth without you feeling a thing.

The car acts as what is known as a Faraday's Cage and anything inside it is safe.

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Answer 7

Best according to the experts is to squat down and make yourself as small as possible if you are caught out in the open. And at no time shelter under a tree, as many people have done this and the tree has been struck and burnt and they have died as a result. In a car i think is OK, going on the number of people out there who are storm chasers.

Answer 8

Go for the car the rubber tyres will protect you. Standing under a tree is not a good idea as lightening could hit the tree and you. If you have no car you are better off staying in the open.

Answer 9

A car is a relatively safe place to be as long as you don't touch any of the metal.

If lightning strikes the car while you are inside it, the charge will travel round the outside and into the ground, leaving you unharmed.

The safest place to be, by far, is in a sturdy, largely non-metallic building such as your home!

Answer 10

No not under a tree,a car is OK but if the car gets struck you may find the electrics go funny.if you are in the open with no where to go you need to curl up in a tight ball on the ground.The safest place to be will always be inside so if you don't have to be out,then i wouldn't venture outside.