It's that time of year when thunderstorms are a daily occurrence in Colorado. The first thing to know is that lightning is extremely dangerous and your safety is guaranteed ONLY if you are indoors or within a fully enclosed vehicle! As the saying goes, "When the thunder roars, go indoors." As avid outdoor recreationists we know that sometimes you just get caught outside. If that is the case, keep the following in mind: 

• Be Prepared: Always check the weather forecast before you head out.
• Get An Early Start: In the Colorado high country, storms typically develop in early afternoon. Aim to be off all high points by noon. Keep an eye on the sky and descend all peaks and ridges if a storm is approaching. 
• 5 to 1: To gauge the distance of a storm, count the seconds between the thunder boom and the lighting flash. 5 seconds equals 1 mile. But keep in mind, you are in potential danger if you hear any thunder!
• Seek Shelter: The best protection is a fully enclosed building or vehicle. Partially open shelters (picnic areas, tents, open jeeps, sheds) are not safe.
• Outdoor Protection: If you can't get indoors, find protection in valleys or depressed terrain under a thick growth of saplings or small trees. Avoid isolated trees, open water, caves, or rock overhangs. Stay away from all metal objects, including metal pack frames.
• Know the Lightning Position: Squat down with your feet together, put your hands around your knees, and keep your head down. NEVER lie flat. Also, if you have a sleeping pad, place it between you and the ground.

There's more to learn! For more information about lightning and to learn how thunderstorms develop, visit NOAA. 

One last thing, for your next dinner party trivia: The air around lightning can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, 5 times hotter than the sun! That's hot.