Hardly anyone likes being outside during a thunderstorm, especially not in the mountains. But what if you are out hiking or cycling and are suddenly surprised by a change in the weather? Here you can find out how to behave correctly in such a situation and what you should not do during a thunderstorm in the mountains.
Avoid a thunderstorm by planning properly
The ideal situation would of course be to not get caught in a thunderstorm in the mountains. Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to recognise and predict possible thunderstorms and bad weather early on . So make sure you pay attention to the weather forecast when you are planning a mountain tour. In summer, thunderstorms also occur more frequently in the afternoon. So if you still want to go on an excursion, look for short routes on such days, where you can ideally be back home before midday. In addition, on such days you should avoid via ferratas or routes with rope safety, as well as exposed peaks.
The harbingers of the storm
Heat thunderstorms are probably the most common form of severe weather in summer. They occur quickly and last a relatively short time. Once a heat thunderstorm has passed, no lasting deterioration in the weather is to be expected. Conveniently, they are also easy to recognize. When small, partial clouds quickly grow in size and quickly take up the whole sky and pile up into large masses, an electrical discharge occurs and thus a thunderstorm. Other signs are rapidly picking up wind and electrically charged air (usually noticeable by a humming or crackling sound). If you can already make out the first thunder in the distance, you should watch the thunderstorm and count how much time passes between the lightning strike and the thunder that follows. If the time is 10 seconds or more, the thunderstorm is still a good 3 kilometers away.
How to protect yourself on the mountain during a thunderstorm
When the first signs of a thunderstorm appear, you should make your way back to the valley. If that is not possible in time, closed buildings offer the best possible protection. So look for shelters or bivouac boxes. If you cannot reach a building, seek shelter in hollows or under rock ledges. However, you should always make sure to keep enough distance from the rock and not touch the stone. You should stay away from exposed areas. This could be a summit cross, a mast or even a solitary tree. You should also avoid a ridge or rocky outcrop during a thunderstorm on the mountain.
If the storm is too close to find shelter, the first thing you should do is get rid of any ladders. (Metal equipment) Ice axes, crampons, hiking poles or carabiners can "attract" lightning. So put them some distance away from you. After the storm is over, you can easily pick them up again. Look for a point that is as low as possible. DO NOT lie flat on the ground! Instead, you should crouch as low as possible. Ideally, stand on your feet. If that's too strenuous, you can also sit down. You can also stand on your backpack or, if you have one, a sleeping mat. This way you can avoid the surrounding ground transferring the voltage to you in the event of a lightning strike.
Even with the right technique, a thunderstorm on the mountain is still a danger that should not be underestimated. So be sure to plan your routes according to the weather and, if in doubt, it's better to be safe than sorry.