These Outdoor Activities Are Most Prone To Lightning

"When thunder roars, go indoors" is the golden rule of lightning safety. But for people caught outside, some activities contribute more to lightning deaths than others.

At the top of the list is an activity that is supposedly synonymous with relaxation: fishing. In fact, 9% of lightning deaths from 2006 to 2024 happened while fishing.

The next two common activities when it comes to lightning-related deaths – going to the beach and boating – share an important thread with fishing, which might not come as much of a surprise.

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Water As A Common Thread

All of these activities happen in or near water, and together, they make up 21% of the activities that the National Lightning Safety Council calls the "Deadly Dozen."

"These activities are especially dangerous because fishermen and boaters are likely to be out in the open and more vulnerable to a direct lightning strike," explains John Jensenius, Jr., of the NLSC.

People around water also may not be able to hear the sound of thunder, one of the most noticeable signs that a storm is in the area.

Among leisure activities specifically, 34% of the 308 cases from 2006 to 2024 were directly related to water.

Here are the rest of the activities that make up the NLSC’s "Deadly Dozen":

• Farming or ranching (5%)
• Camping (5%)
• Roofing (4%)
• Riding a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV (4%)
• Social gatherings (4%)
• Construction (3%)
• Heading to/from or waiting for a vehicle (3%)
• Yardwork (3%)
• Golf (3%)

Making A Plan For Outdoor Activities

You should always know the forecast if you are going to be spending time outdoors, but you need to pay special attention if thunderstorms are possible.

This includes those summer days in the South where thunderstorms can pop up seemingly out of nowhere – even if there’s only a 20% chance of thunderstorms, there’s enough of a chance that you could get stuck in a dangerous situation.

Continue to monitor the weather all day, ideally through regularly checking the forecast or radar. If you’re in a spot where you can’t check your phone for the latest weather information, keep a close eye on the skies and keep your ears open in case any storms start to develop in your area.

(MORE: The Lightning Crouch: What Not To Do If You're Caught Outdoors During A Thunderstorm)

Even if you aren’t specifically planning on spending a lot of time outside, you still need to pay attention to the forecast and consider lightning safety. Multiple entries on the NLSC’s Deadly Dozen list revolve around work-related activities or even just day-to-day life, like waiting for a car.

Sara Tonks is a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences along with a master’s degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.