Late Spring And Summer Have Underrated Weather Dangers To Prepare For As You Make Outdoor Plans

Mind These Summer Weather Threats

The late-spring and summer months are a great time to enjoy outdoor activities for many of us, but there are several under the radar weather threats that you should prepare for as you make plans, even though they often don't make big headlines like tornadoes and hurricanes.

Keep these threats and safety tips in mind through the coming months.

1. Beach Trips Are Fun, But A Danger Lurks In The Waters

-Big Picture: Rip currents killed an average of 74 people each year from 2014 to 2023, the third most for any category of weather-related fatalities in NOAA's statistics for that 10-year period.

Rip currents can develop at any beach with breaking waves, and in the five years ending in 2024, most states along the Gulf, East and West coasts as well as along the Great Lakes shoreline have had deaths related to rip currents. Florida has had the most by far with 103, followed by Texas and North Carolina with 20 and 18, respectively. You might be surprised to learn that double-digit death tolls have even occurred along the shores of multiple states bordering the Great Lakes, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

-Stay Safe: Take note of the rip current risk if you are planning a day at the beach. There are color-coded flags placed on many beaches each day to communicate the current threat. You can also get a daily rip current forecast from NOAA. If in doubt, just stay out of the ocean until you can get further informed.

2. The Nation's Deadliest Weather Hazard Happens In Summer

-Big Picture: Extreme heat goes hand-in-hand with summer, but what you might not know is that it leads the way when it comes to weather-related fatalities. Heat waves have contributed to an average of 222 deaths each year in the U.S., based on 2014-2023 statistics from NOAA. That's more than quadruple the average for tornadoes over that same period of time.

Hot temperatures that are capable of causing heat-related illnesses can affect every state in the Lower 48, so taking precautions applies to many of us each year at some point in summer.

-Stay Safe: Heat safety measures include staying hydrated, wearing light-colored clothing, taking breaks if outdoors and more. You should also check on vulnerable people such as the elderly and children, especially if air conditioning is unavailable.

3. It's Prime Time For This Underrated Danger

Flooding can happen anytime of year, but warmer temperatures from spring into summer make it more likely because of the potential for heavier rainfall rates. In fact, flash flooding in the U.S. has an annual peak that occurs from late-spring through summer.

-Stay Safe: When heavy rain threatens, never try to drive through a flooded road. A large portion of flood deaths annually happen in vehicles.

It may be tough to tell how deep the water is when you approach a flooded section of roadway, especially at night, so never try to proceed, instead "Turn around. Don't drown," as the National Weather Service says. Entering a flooded area can allow water to enter your vehicle in a manner of minutes, even seconds.

4. Always Check Your Forecast Before And During Outdoor Activities For This Concern

-Big Picture: Deaths from lightning have decreased when compared to decades ago, but it's blamed for an average of 21 deaths annually from 2014 to 2023. Hundreds more people are injured, NOAA says.

More people are outdoors in spring and summer, so a majority of lightning deaths happen during this time of year.

Last year had the second-fewest lightning deaths on record with 12. The decrease in the death toll from lightning in recent years is a testament to technology, including lightning detection, improved forecasting and increased awareness.

-Stay Safe: If you have outdoor activities planned, be sure you know where you can shelter from lightning. If you hear thunder, then it's time to move indoors no matter how faint it sounds. Check your forecast to see if there is any chance of thunderstorms before you head out and keep informed of changing weather conditions while outdoors.

Chris Dolce has been a senior meteorologist with weather.com for over 10 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.