Updated February 17, 2023 – Before setting off on your camping trip, you had checked the weather forecast time and again and it was supposed to be clear. Yet the storm clouds and lightning flash in the distance says otherwise.
It’s just you, a few friends, and miles and miles of untamed wilderness all around you. Is a tent a safe place to be when a storm hits?
During a thunderstorm, the safest location is the middle of the tent. Avoid touching the the tent’s aluminum poles or its metal frame, as well as wet items. Compact yourself by squatting down or laying in the fetal position. Make sure you’re lying on the tent footprint instead of on wet ground and then wait out the storm.
It can be terrifying to be stuck in a raging thunderstorm with only fabric and metal surrounding you. I know because I’ve been through plenty of scary storms when camping in the Rocky Mountains.
In this informative guide, we’ll discuss whether tents attract lightning, if your tent offers a safe shelter during a storm, and how you can avoid lightning strikes when you go camping.
Unfortunately, tent safety during a thunderstorm in the backcountry can be extremely challenging. If the tent stands higher than nearby objects or is under a tree, you could be at an increased risk of being struck by lightning or suffering exposure to sideflash or ground current—all which can be deadly.
Lightning.org
Do Tents Attract Lightning?
If you’ve read my other posts about lightning safety, you should know what attracts it versus what doesn’t. If you need the refresher, though, I’m happy to provide one now.
If you grew up believing that metal objects attract lightning because you heard it in school, this is incorrect.
Instead, what attracts lightning comes down to three things: how isolated you are, the shape of the item, and the height of the item.
Let’s go through these factors one by one and discuss the likelihood of your tent attracting lightning.
Isolation
First, there’s isolation. When camping, you can be pretty isolated. After all, being away from crowds is one of the biggest reasons outdoor enthusiasts like to go backpacking and tent camping.
In a storm, if you can see other tents from where your tent is staked, then you’re probably not isolated enough for your tent to be a target for lightning. That’s also true if you’re surrounded by trees.
However, if your tent is the only tent around for miles and you’re out in an open area, such as a field, then the chances of a lightning strike go up exponentially.
Without tall trees around, you become the sole target in that open field, so to speak. In this case, you must be extra careful when caught in a severe thunderstorm.
Item Shape
The next factor that dictates whether you might be impacted by lightning is the shape of the item – the item being your tent, in this case.
The pointier the item in question, the greater the attractant the item is to lightning. Tents can be pretty pointy, so this information doesn’t necessarily bode well for you.
Again, though, you have to take the item shape in conjunction with how isolated you are. If it’s just you out in the middle of nowhere, then yes, your tent is pointy and isolated.
However, any other trees in the nearby area will be pointier, and so the tallest trees may bear the brunt of the lightning strikes.
Item Height
Last but certainly not least is how tall the item is. Tents are between 85 and 90 inches tall, which is more than the height of an average person. They’re tall, but are there other tall objects around?
I have to go back to isolation. If your tent is the pointiest, tallest thing in the area, then you’re in danger.
Can A Tent Be Struck By Lightning?
When camping in a tent during a thunderstorm, it is important to know whether or not your tent can be struck by lightning.
Unfortunately, the answer is yes – tents are not immune to lightning strikes. All metal and electrical devices located inside or outside of the tent are potential targets for lightning strikes.
Even when your tent is made out of non-conductive material such as nylon, it will still act as an “antenna” that could draw lightning from miles away if there is nothing else nearby to attract the charge.
Also, despite the above scenario where your tent doesn’t have any metal parts, it can still become charged up with electricity due to its close proximity to other objects, like trees or poles, which may act as conductors.
Therefore, it is important to take extra precautions when camping in a tent during a thunderstorm.
- Make sure that all metal objects such as lanterns and flashlights are stored away from the tent.
- It’s better if you can avoid setting up tents under trees or near other tall structures as these could be potential targets for lightning strikes.
- Try to remove any items of clothing (e.g., shoes) which have metal parts attached to them before entering the tent.
- If at all possible, if you hear thunder or see lightning, immediately move away from the tent until the storm passes and never seek shelter underneath a tree – this increases your chances of getting struck by lightning since trees act as natural conductors of electricity
Will A Tent Protect You From Lightning?
Okay, now you’re probably justifiably freaked out.
You’d prefer not to get struck by lightning on your camping trip, especially considering that you’re nowhere near a hospital. If you’re in a tent, will you be safeguarded from the storm?
Unfortunately, no.
Tents are only made of polyester or nylon.
The frame and tent poles are usually made of metal. Those materials don’t offer you the protection you need from the thunderstorms that often pop up during the summer months.
If the storm is only at the point where you hear thunder but the rain or lightning has yet to start, your best option is to take shelter in a more secure place. But you have limited time to do this.
The first thing to do is to try to get to an enclosed building of some type – say, a nearby hut, cabin or even a park ranger’s station.
A safe building is one that is enclosed on all four sides and has a solid roof overhead. An open structure, such as a picnic shelter, is NOT a safe location during an electrical storm.
Another good spot to wait out the storm is in your enclosed vehicle, if you can reach it in time. Read more about whether lightning can kill you in a car.
The problem with being in a tent during a lightning storm is that the lightning can strike from the sky to the ground and then travel outward.
How far the lightning goes varies, but the ground current generated when lightning strikes definitely travels long distances.
Even if the lightning pulses through your tent’s metal poles, it’s still discharged to the ground. In some cases, the electric charge gets lodged into the soil and accumulates.
What results is step voltage, which is the amount of voltage between the soil in the ground and where you’re standing.
If you stand where the electric charge has built up in the soil, you could be injured by the electrical shock, no lightning strikes required.
Where Should A Tent Be Placed In A Thunderstorm?
Ideally, you want to pitch your tent in an area that’s as low lying as possible, however, as REI’s Expert Advice website notes, “Always camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.”
Make sure to avoid any areas with tall trees or power lines and keep the tent away from open fields so lightning doesn’t strike it directly.
That said, when you’re looking for a place to initially set up your tent, look for a natural windbreak (a line of trees, for example) and put it up between you and the breeze (but far enough away that you won’t get hit if branches break off during a storm.
Also, make sure the ground is level and you’re not putting the tent up on a hillside or other elevated terrain.
You also should avoid a “valley” between two higher areas, because that’s where the water will run to during a storm.
Finally, try to take shelter near rocks or large objects that could shield you from wind and rain.
What Do You Do In A Tent During A Thunderstorm?
Okay, so you tried to take shelter elsewhere, but there wasn’t enough time. You’re stuck riding out the thunderstorm until it’s over in nothing but your tent.
Although this will be scary, you need to do your best to avoid panicking, as you’ll need a clear head. You can get through this. You just have to take the following precautions.
Move To The Center Of The Tent
First thing’s first, and that’s get away from all metal parts of the tent. By positioning yourself in the center, you’re usually equidistant from the four metal poles that comprise the base of some tents.
You might have to huddle among a group of people if you’re camping with your partner or a few friends – which can be awkward – but it’s still your safest bet.
Compact Yourself
Don’t just stand around, get down low. Remember that lightning strikes are determined by height, and if your tent is among the tallest items around, that means you are too.
If nothing else, squat down. If you want to make yourself ultra-compact, then squeeze into the fetal position. All along, make sure you’re still in the middle of the tent.
Don’t Touch Anything Wet Or Metal
Watch your hands and feet too. Don’t grab the metal poles of your tent for support and ensure you’re far away enough from any poles around the bottom of the tent as well. Lightning can pass right through metal poles, so direct contact can lead to injury.
It’s for that same reason that you don’t want to be near wet items. Since it’s probably raining, that means touching just about anything in your tent is off-limits. Water conducts electricity incredibly well, especially when combined with metal.
Avoid Bare Ground
Remember that you can get hurt if lightning hits the ground and the charge is retained in the soil. The last thing you want to do during a thunderstorm when you’re stuck in a tent is not have a tent footprint.
The footprint is a piece of fabric that goes on the bottom of your tent. Usually, a tent footprint is for comfort so you’re not sleeping on the cold, hard ground. In this instance, the footprint can be a lifesaver.
How Do You Keep A Tent Dry In A Thunderstorm?
When camping in a tent during a thunderstorm, if you don’t have a waterproof tent like this one I found online, it’s really important to do what you can to make sure your tent stays dry and that you stay safe.
Start by orienting the tent so that the entrance is facing away from any direction with strong winds or heavy rain. Then, make sure all the seams are sealed and use a tarp or groundsheet for added protection.
If possible, secure the tent using guy lines and stakes since this will help keep it stable even if wind speeds increase.
You’ll also want to stay at least 15 feet away from other tall structures that could be potential targets for lightning strikes.
If you hear thunder outside, stay in your tent and don’t leave it until the storm passes – no matter how strong or loud it gets.
It’s also best to avoid using any electrical equipment during a storm (like mobile phones or cameras) because they could act as lightning rods and attract strikes.
If you need to use something that requires electricity, make sure you are wearing rubber-soled shoes or standing on an insulator like a plastic mat.
If there is ever a chance of that there might be flooding while tent camping, aside from not putting the tent up in a possible flood zone to begin with, you also want to move any important items to a higher place in the tent so they won’t get wet.
Better yet, move them and yourself out of the area if possible.
Staying in a tent during a thunderstorm isn’t something you want to do if it can be avoided—it’s much safer to seek shelter in a building. It would also be safer if you were in a camper or RV or a car.
However, if there is no other option, staying in your tent is one of the best ways to stay safe during a storm.
How Do You Avoid Lightning When Camping?
According to Canada’s government website, “campers and hikers are among those most commonly affected by lightning, often struck during a thunderstorm when they are in open areas or when taking shelter.”
In that country, more than 65 percent of all lightning-related deaths and injuries occur when outdoors enjoying recreation.
If you’re looking to avoid lightning when camping, make sure you do the following.
Check The Forecast
The best method for keeping away from lightning is to never be out during a storm. Look at the forecast in the area you’ll be camping in the night before your trip and the day of. Scope the radar as well.
Even if yesterday, it seemed like your camping day would be clear and sunny, and this morning the forecast has changed, the best thing to do is to cancel or postpone your trip when inclement weather is on the horizon.
Follow The National Weather Service Lightning Safety Guidelines
The United States National Weather Service (NWS) has an easy-to-remember saying: “When thunder roars, go indoors!” Following this advice is the best way to stay safe during a thunderstorm.
Don’t think you’re safe if you count the number of seconds between lightning flashes! If you hear thunder, you are within striking distance of the resulting lightning.
The NWS also recommends that you stay inside and don’t resume outdoor activities for 30 minutes following the last rumble of thunder
Get To Lower Ground
Just like being on open ground, being on high ground means you are technically a lightning rod of sorts.
Don’t think you are safe if you opt to wait out the storm under an overhanging cliff, either. If a thunderstorm is looming, the best place to be is in a low area.
Ditch The Metal Items
When the sound of thunder becomes unmistakable, it’s time to get far away from any and all metal items as you can. That can include the ones on your person or in your tent.
Everything from metal cookware (the camp stove, mugs, pots, and pans) to crucial equipment like carabiners, climbing irons, piolets, and hiking poles must be put away in a bag and left a good distance away from your tent.
Take Shelter
I talked earlier about the best places to shelter yourself during a thunderstorm – which are those with a solid roof over your head.
I want to take this moment to say that of all the possible places to shelter during a storm, lone trees are about the worst choice.
It doesn’t matter if it’s birch, beech or oak, trees are often lightning attractants due to their size, shape, and height. Stay away from trees during a storm!
Final Thoughts On Camping In A Tent During A Thunderstorm
Camping in a thunderstorm can be a life-threatening ordeal. Don’t stay in your tent unless you haven’t got time to seek a more permanent, enclosed shelter.
If you are stuck in your tent, remember these tips and you should be able to get through the storm safely.
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