Thunderstorm is not always predictable and sometimes destructive. Lightning strikes represent a terrible danger, which under certain conditions can kill. Those most at risk are those who have been struck by a thunderstorm in the open, in the mountains, in the fields or on the road.
It is best not to fall into such situations and carefully study the weather forecast before traveling without hoping for a chance. But weather forecasters are not always accurate, and urgent trips to a thunderstorm also happen. Therefore, the question of what will happen if lightning strikes the car is very relevant for some.
Suppose a thunderstorm with rain and lightning caught you somewhere on the road, away from possible shelters. In this case, your car can save your life. Since its body is made of metal, in the event of a thunderstorm it will serve as a lightning rod. Of course, this is not one hundred percent protection and certain rules will need to be followed. How dangerous is it, and what will happen if lightning strikes the car?
Not all cars are equally safe.
Consider yourself lucky if during a thunderstorm you will be in a car with an all-metal body. Because, as a rule, it serves as a kind of Faraday cage (a protective shell from an electromagnetic field). People in such a machine will be shielded and protected from external influences. And yet can lightning strike a car? And under what conditions is this inevitable?
The car will be able to let electricity in when a lightning strike occurs if metal objects in the cabin come into contact with the body. Another reason may be the abundance of electronics in the car.
However, one should not panic and, especially, go out and run away. In this case, you will greatly reduce your chances of survival. But you can increase them if you follow some safety rules.
How to behave in a thunderstorm while in a car?
First of all, do not panic and soberly assess the situation. In order to prevent lightning from getting into the car as much as possible, it is necessary to lower the antenna (if any), close all windows, turn off the radio, GPS-navigator, mobile phones and other devices that can attract a charge. In no case do not continue driving. Firstly, lightning can strike a moving object. Secondly, its flash itself can dazzle, and on wet roads it is very easy to lose control and get into an accident.
But the place where to stay, too, must be chosen correctly. In a thunderstorm, you cannot stop near trees and pillars. Lightning may be more likely in a tall tree. It may catch fire and fall onto the car. Inside, do not touch door handles or other metal objects.
Can lightning strike a car when all safety precautions are followed? Yes, this is possible, especially if the vehicle is elevated. There are also places in which the soil itself has a large electrical conductivity. They can be determined by the presence of trees damaged in the area.
What happens if lightning strikes a car?
Most likely, a lightning bolt will strike at the top point, that is, into the roof of the car. The current will disperse along the surface of the body and go through the wheels into the ground. Also good insulation will serve as interior material. There are several possible options for the development of events in this situation.
You may expect the following effects from a lightning strike on a car. In the best case, the case will be damaged, tires broken, electronics will burn, and you will get off with a slight fright. In the worst case, the car may catch fire, because the temperature of lightning exceeds the temperature on the surface of the Sun. Then survival will depend on the speed of your reaction. You need to have time to leave the burning car as soon as possible. Be that as it may, the car after a lightning strike will be too damaged to continue driving on it. However, according to statistics, the death toll from a lightning strike in a car is not so great. It is much more dangerous to be outdoors.
