AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/lightning-30-minutes

A thunderstorm chases you away from the campfire. When is it safe to go back out?

30 minutes after the last thunder.

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The Just Right card

Too littleAs soon as the rain stops
Too muchStay inside for the rest of the day
Just right30 minutes after the last thunder

Huh, didn't know that: Tents and picnic shelters don't protect you from lightning; a building or a hard-topped car does.

The dad joke
What does a cloud wear under its raincoat? Thunderwear.
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AhaBulb card: A thunderstorm chases you away from the campfire. When is it safe to go back out?

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References

Answer: 30 minutes after the last thunder. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from a storm, even after the rain stops. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder. Tents and picnic shelters don't protect you; a building or a hard-topped car does.

  1. National Weather Service: When a Safe Building or Vehicle is Nearby www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-outdoors
    Go to your vehicle! The tent and picnic shelter are NOT safe places. Wait 30 minutes until after the last rumble of thunder before going back to the campsite.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. National Weather Service: Social Media Lightning Safety www.weather.gov/wrn/lightning-sm
    Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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