Thunderstorm
QUICK ANSWER · START HERE
Go inside a substantial building or a fully enclosed hard-top vehicle when thunder is heard. Stay away from windows and monitor warnings for damaging wind, hail, tornadoes and flash flooding.
Take it with you. Verify locally.
Downloads open without signup. External references are published material, not live instructions. Save them before an outage.
In immediate danger, contact local emergency services. Current instructions for your location take priority.
Do now.
- 01
Get indoors
Open shelters, tents and trees do not protect from lightning.
- 02
Avoid conductive paths
Inside, avoid plumbing and plugged-in equipment during lightning.
- 03
Read new warnings
Move to an interior room for severe wind or hail; use a tornado shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
- 04
Wait before returning
After the last thunder, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activity.
Next steps.
Check for downed lines and flooded routes before travel. Schedule outdoor work around forecasts.
Watch for.
Every thunderstorm can produce lightning, even without a severe thunderstorm warning.
Sources & context.
Original Osprey Zero summary of the references below. U.S.-based guidance unless noted; check authorities where you are. This page is not a live alert.
Updated 2026-10-02. Recheck official instructions during an active event.