Outdoor Weather
Camping Thunderstorm Safety: Tents, Trees, Flooding, Wind, and Lightning
How to plan for thunderstorms while camping, including campsite selection, lightning shelter, flash flooding, wind, trees, and weather radios.
Quick answer: A tent is not a safe thunderstorm shelter. Campers should know nearby sturdy shelters, avoid flood-prone sites, and have a weather alert source that works without cell service.
Before setup
Avoid dry washes, creek beds, low spots, dead trees, and exposed ridges. Look for safer shelter options before dark.
Check forecasts and alerts before entering remote areas. Cell service may disappear when you need it most.
Lightning and wind
During lightning, a vehicle or substantial building is safer than a tent. Strong wind can drop limbs or collapse poorly secured shelters.
Do not shelter under isolated trees or near metal fences.
Flooding
Heavy rain upstream can flood a campsite even if it is not raining directly overhead.
Move to higher ground early when flash flood warnings or rising water appear.