It is generally considered unsafe to stay under trees during thunderstorms due to the increased risk of lightning strikes. Lightning is attracted to tall objects, and trees, especially isolated ones or those standing higher than their surroundings, can become targets for lightning strikes.
Here are a few reasons why it is unsafe to seek shelter under trees during thunderstorms:
Increased risk of being struck by lightning: When lightning occurs, it tends to take the path of least resistance to the ground. Tall objects, such as trees, can serve as natural lightning rods, attracting and conducting the electrical current. If you are under a tree during a lightning storm, you become more vulnerable to being struck by lightning, which can cause severe injuries or even be fatal.
Falling branches or trees: During thunderstorms, strong winds can cause branches or entire trees to fall. Seeking shelter under a tree increases the risk of being hit by a falling branch or being crushed by a falling tree. Trees are more likely to experience wind damage during storms, making them potentially hazardous to be near.
Indirect strikes and ground current: Even if lightning does not directly strike a tree, it can still travel through the ground. This phenomenon is known as ground current. If you are in contact with the ground near a tree that is struck by lightning, the electrical current can spread through the ground and pose a danger to anyone in the vicinity, including under the tree.
Side flashes and step voltage: Lightning can also produce side flashes and step voltage, which are dangerous for anyone in the immediate area. Side flashes occur when lightning strikes an object and jumps to a nearby conductor, which could include a person seeking shelter under a tree. Step voltage is the electrical potential difference that can be generated between two points on the ground when lightning strikes. It can be hazardous if a person's feet are at different potentials due to the current passing through the ground.
In summary, staying under trees during thunderstorms increases the risk of being struck by lightning, hit by falling branches, or affected by ground current, side flashes, or step voltage. It is generally safer to seek shelter indoors or in a substantial building or a fully enclosed vehicle during thunderstorms to minimize the risk of lightning-related hazards.