Lightning Can Strike Even 10 Miles Away From the Storm
Hey, I want to give you a heads-up about something serious going on right now—especially if you're out and about in northern Nevada or northeastern California. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued, and there are some important safety tips you really need to hear. This isn’t just your average summer storm.
So here's what’s happening: a large system of thunderstorms is moving through areas like Plumas County, the Truckee Meadows, and parts of the Sierra. Now, what makes this particularly dangerous is that some of these storms are producing not just lightning—but heavy rain, strong wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, and even hail as big as two inches in diameter. That’s the kind of hail that can damage cars, windows, and roofs. It's been reported especially along Highway 70 near Belden, and storms are drifting westward at around 25 miles per hour.
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But even if you don’t see rain where you are, don’t let your guard down. One of the biggest dangers right now is what’s known as “dry lightning”—that’s lightning without much rainfall, and it can be especially threatening in places like northern Nevada where fire danger is already high. Those strikes can easily spark wildfires, especially in the dry brush that’s everywhere right now.
Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: lightning doesn’t need to strike directly under the storm cloud. According to the National Weather Service, lightning can actually hit the ground up to 10 miles away from the storm itself. So if you’re outdoors and see dark clouds forming or hear a rumble of thunder—don’t wait. Get inside if you can. And if you're stuck outside, say on a hike or near a lake, your car is actually one of the safest places to be. Cars act like a "Faraday cage," which means they can redirect the electricity from lightning around you and into the ground.
And if there’s no shelter or car nearby? Get to lower ground and avoid tall objects, since lightning tends to strike the highest point in an area.
These storms are expected to continue for a few more hours before tapering off after sunset. So please, take this seriously. A thunderstorm can look harmless at first glance, but conditions can escalate fast.
Stay safe out there, and if you're in one of these warning zones, pay close attention to alerts and radar updates. Better to play it safe than to risk being caught off guard.
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