During a thunderstorm in the mountains - tips on how to behave and important information

Of all the dangers that can befall you during a stay in the mountains, thunderstorms are probably the most insidious and dangerous of all. Usually clearly visible to everyone through lightning and thunder and easily perceptible with the ears, they can also appear when external circumstances give no indication whatsoever. Every year, nature lovers underestimate the dangers posed by lightning strikes , which in turn leads to a sad number of accidents at the end of the season. There are numerous approaches that can ensure excellent protection from thunderstorms in the mountains if the worst happens. You can find out what these look like in our blog post.

Much more than just lightning and thunder

Every one of us probably has lightning and thunder in mind when we talk about " thunderstorms in the mountains ." With lightning temperatures that can quickly reach 30,000 degrees, it's no wonder that many people associate this topic with such images. Added to that are currents that can easily handle values ​​of up to 400,000 amps .

When people are confronted with such high and unusual numbers, they quickly feel threatened, and rightly so. However, every year the accident statistics reveal that several hundred people did not have the threatening numbers in mind sufficiently, or took the dangers too lightly.

Another important aspect is the lack of knowledge about the weather conditions beyond the usual thunder and lightning. Thunderstorms in the mountains are rarely only noticeable through these two things. Instead, you have to expect strong winds and lashing rain, which can quickly make the already dangerous situation even more dramatic. In such a situation, it is important to be aware of all possible manifestations and accompanying forms in order to be able to prepare and protect yourself well in an emergency.

Hiking on hot days during thunderstorms in the mountains

The risk of thunderstorms is particularly high in the summer months, as the sometimes oppressive weather conditions encourage them to form. Early summer is the most noticeable period, as the heat thunderstorms appear very frequently. Even if you should of course always keep your eyes and ears open in order to be able to spot the first signs early , it is still advisable to pay special attention at this time of year.

If you can start your day in the mountains early, you should definitely do so. According to statistics, most thunderstorms in the mountains of Germany occur between the afternoon and evening. If you are in control of the start of your tour, starting early can be very useful in terms of hazard prevention.

Proper preparation and behavior during thunderstorms in the mountains

To avoid being caught in a thunderstorm in the mountains, you should invest a lot of time in preparation and planning . Try to use all the information gathering methods available to you. One look too many is always better than finding yourself in the middle of a disaster later.

When planning, keep the following points in mind:

• Check the weather forecast before starting your tour.
• Try to find regional weather news on the Internet.
• Talk to other hikers, tour guides or hotel owners and ask what they think.

During the tour, however, the following points are important:

• Always look around during the tour and try to quickly recognize changes in the weather.
• Stay away from areas containing water when a thunderstorm begins.
• Put down metal objects during thunderstorms.
• Do not run in tight group formations.
• Stay secured on the via ferrata and only use iron clamps.

The points listed above can all be internalized and implemented quickly, so that you never have to deal with impossible things. Even the most insignificant behavior at first can be very important during a thunderstorm. Do not underestimate the importance of these rules and always apply them to the best of your ability.

Tips for determining the distance

Even a thunderstorm that is far away can be a danger for you in the mountains. Even if you are 5 kilometers away from the scene of the storm, the danger can be ever-present for you. Far too often, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts have felt too safe in the mountains because they were supposedly far enough away from the storm, only to be surprised by a lightning strike.

You can roughly calculate the distance to the thunderstorm using a trick. If you see lightning and then there is no thunder, then you know that the thunderstorm is at least 18 kilometers away. The sound of the lightning is absorbed at that distance and therefore does not reach your ear canal.

The number of seconds between the lightning and the thunder can also be used to determine how far away the storm is from you. If it is less than 30 seconds, there is a great danger. Anything less than 3 seconds indicates that a lightning strike could be imminent.

Which places offer sufficient protection?

You are only 100% safe in a closed shelter or hut. A bivouac box with a lightning rod can also guarantee you 100% protection. All other places may offer a better starting position, but there is no guarantee like in the previous examples.

The depths of a forest are a good way to improve your situation. However, we strongly advise against using individual trees. Shelters or open shelters are also not suitable places and do not offer any protection. Tents may protect you from rain, but they also do not protect you from lightning strikes.

If there is a thunderstorm in the mountains, always try to have an insulating mat between you and the ground. A dry backpack is an excellent place to sit in an emergency. You can effectively reduce the risk of so-called leakage currents by avoiding direct contact with the ground.