Here’s why standing near a tree during a storm is dangerous

Unfortunately, August alone has tallied six lightning deaths in the United States. 

It’s been a tragic month for lightning deaths, including a Central Florida woman who was killed by lightning while waiting for her daughter to get off the school bus. Reports say lightning hit a nearby tree. Earlier this month, three people near the White House were killed when lightning struck the tree they were under.

Being under a tree is one of the leading causes of lightning casualties. But why is being under–or even near–a tree so dangerous?

When lightning strikes a tree, the energy travels out along the ground’s surface. The ground current affects a larger area and can lead to multiple injuries or deaths.

John Jensenius with the National Lightning Safety Council says the most recent multi-fatality incidents all have one feature in common: trees. 

When it rains, don’t seek shelter under a tree. Find a building or a hard-topped vehicle and don’t wait until the last minute to seek shelter. Lightning can strike more than 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning, even if it’s not raining where you are. 

Remember: “When thunder roars, go indoors!”

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.