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What should you do in a thunderstorm in Denmark?

Get under cover before the storm is overhead

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Short answer

In Denmark 85 % of thunderstorms come in June, July and August, so they matter most for summer trips. The safest place is a closed, earthed metal cage, such as a car with the doors, windows and sunroof shut. Do not shelter under trees, especially a single tree, avoid towers and open spaces, and do not touch fences, railings or taps. Avoid swimming, and remember that a bicycle gives no protection. To judge the distance, count the seconds between flash and thunder and divide by three to get kilometres.

Weather and seasons

Why

  1. Lightning seeks out high points and metal.
  2. Water and open fields leave you exposed.
  3. Thunderstorms do not come out of the blue, so the clouds give you warning.

Details

Lightning strikes at random within a radius of about 100 metres of the lightning channel.

Tip

If you are camping, a small, low tent is safer than a tall one with long metal poles.

What may differ

May and September each have around 5 % of thunderstorms, so they can happen outside summer too.

Common misconception

A tree is a good place to shelter from a thunderstorm.

What actually happens

Trees, especially single trees, attract lightning, so a closed car or building is much safer.

People also ask

  • When do thunderstorms happen in Denmark?
  • Is it safe to cycle in a thunderstorm?
  • What do DMI weather warnings mean?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the DMI forecast before you travel.

Weather and seasons
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