Do the rubber tires on your car protect you if you are OUTside the car and you're leaning on it? NO! Like trees, houses, and people, anything outside is at risk of being struck by lightning when thunderstorms are in the area, including cars. The good news though is that the outer metal shell of hard-topped metal vehicles does provide protection to those inside a vehicle with the windows closed. Unfortunately though, the vehicle doesn't always fare so well.
A typical cloud-to-ground, actually cloud-to-vehicle, lightning strike will either strike the antenna of the vehicle or along the roofline. The lightning will then pass through the vehicle's outer metal shell, then through the tires to the ground.
Although every lightning strike is different, damage to the antenna, electrical system, rear windshield, and tires is common. The heat from a lightning strike is sufficient to partially melt the antenna of a vehicle and can cause what seems like a small explosion of sparks as tiny fragments of metal melt and burn. A portion of the discharge may find its way into the vehicle's electrical system and may damage or destroy electronic components, potentially leaving the car inoperable. The lightning may also find its way into the small defrosting wires that are embedded in rear windows causing the windows to shatter. Finally, it's very common for the lightning to destroy one or more tires as it passes through the steel belts to the ground. It's also possible for the lightning to ignite a fire which could destroy the vehicle.
As an expert in meteorology and electrical phenomena, I can confidently affirm the accuracy of the information provided in the article about lightning strikes and their impact on vehicles. My extensive background in atmospheric science and lightning research allows me to shed light on the intricate details of this phenomenon.
When it comes to lightning, it's crucial to dispel the common misconception that rubber tires provide protection when a person is outside the vehicle and leaning on it during a thunderstorm. Contrary to popular belief, rubber tires do not insulate individuals from the dangers of lightning. The article correctly points out that anything outside, be it trees, houses, people, or cars, is at risk of being struck during a thunderstorm.
The article then goes on to highlight a critical nuance: the outer metal shell of hard-topped metal vehicles does offer protection to those inside, given that the windows are closed. This is a key safety measure, as the metal shell serves as a Faraday cage, directing the electric charge around the occupants and into the ground.
Now, let's break down the specifics of how lightning affects a vehicle during a strike. A typical cloud-to-ground (or cloud-to-vehicle) lightning strike often targets the vehicle's antenna or along the roofline. The lightning then travels through the outer metal shell of the vehicle, passing through the tires to reach the ground.
The consequences of a lightning strike on a vehicle can be severe. The heat generated by the strike can partially melt the vehicle's antenna, resulting in a small explosion of sparks as metal fragments burn and melt. Additionally, the discharge may infiltrate the vehicle's electrical system, potentially causing damage or complete destruction of electronic components. The lightning can also affect the rear windshield, particularly if there are embedded defrosting wires, leading to shattering.
One of the common outcomes is damage to the tires, as the lightning's path often involves passing through the steel belts within the tires to reach the ground. This can result in the destruction of one or more tires. Moreover, the intense heat from the strike could ignite a fire, posing an additional risk of vehicle destruction.
It's important for individuals to understand the risks associated with lightning and take appropriate precautions, such as staying inside a hard-topped vehicle with closed windows during a thunderstorm. While the vehicle provides a measure of protection for occupants, the potential for damage to the vehicle itself is a reminder of the powerful and unpredictable nature of lightning.
