Lightning Safety

Lighting striking a ponderosa pine.

Photographed and illustrated by Brian B. Roanhorse.

 

Lightning is a Hazard That Has Been Responsible For Deaths and Injuries in the Park
Lightning is serious business. Summer storms at Bryce Canyon bring lightning, a powerful force which can and does kill. Take a look along the canyon's edge, and you'll soon spot one of the countless trees that have been struck. Don't let that be you! Here at Bryce Canyon, lightning has claimed the lives of four visitors in the past 23 years. Six other visitors have been seriously injured by lightning strikes. Though most common in July, August, and September, thunderstorms can happen any time of the year.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEING CAUGHT OUTSIDE IN A THUNDERSTORM

1. All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous.
2. There is no safe place outside in a thunderstorm. Plan ahead to avoid dangerous lightning storms.
3. Lightning is associated with heavy rain and hail but it often strikes outside of it's area.
4. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall.

 

Storm forming above Bryce Canyon viewed from Sunrise Point.

Photographed by Brian B. Roanhorse 13 August, 2015.

Head To Safety Early
Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing thunderstorm such as...

• Towering Clouds
• Darkening Skies
• Flashes of Lightning
• Increasing Wind

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors
If you hear a clap of thunder, a thunderstorm is within 10 miles (16 km). Do not wait;this is Mother Nature warning you that you need to IMMEDIATELY SEEK SHELTER such as...

• A Building with Walls, Roof and Floor
• Hard Top Vehicle

Wait Thirty Minutes
DO NOT go back outside until at least 30 minutes after last hearing thunder.

Not Safe Locations

If you can't get to a safe location, avoid the most dangerous places and activities.

• Higher elevations
• Wide-open areas
• Tall Isolated Objects
• Water-related Activities
• Open Vehicles.
• Shuttle Bus Stops
• Pit Toilets
• Do Not Go Under Trees
• Avoid the Rim Trail, Viewpoints, and other Open Areas
• Do not be the Tallest Object in the Area

Remember...
There is no substitute for getting to a safe place.

If someone is injured or unresponsive CALL 9-1-1. Provide the most accurate location information you can.

 

Don't Get Zapped!

Visit our Don't Get Zapped web page and then take the quiz to see if you know how to be safe about lightning at Bryce Canyon National Park.