Choose shelter in advance
A tent, tree or open-sided picnic shelter does not provide reliable lightning protection. Identify a substantial enclosed building or an enclosed hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed, and know how long your group needs to reach it.
Act on thunder
If you hear thunder, move to appropriate shelter promptly. Do not wait for rain or try to finish a lake activity. Allow at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before returning outdoors. If no suitable shelter is reachable, there is no reliably safe outdoor location; this is why an early plan matters.
Check the forecast for the place you will actually camp.
Make the plan easy to share
Before leaving camp, tell your group where to meet and how to change the day’s plans. Keep car keys accessible rather than at the bottom of a packed bag. Check official weather information for the location you will actually visit, including higher ground or open water if relevant.
Before you go
Sources & further reading
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