If shelter from lightning is not available, which areas should be avoided?

When shelter from lightning is not available, exposed and higher areas should be avoided due to the increased risk they pose during a lightning storm. Lightning tends to strike the tallest objects in a given area, which includes hills and mountain tops. Therefore, being in an open or elevated location makes an individual more susceptible to lightning strikes.

In contrast, areas such as low valleys might offer some protection from lightning, as they are less likely to be the highest points in the landscape. Trees can be dangerous due to the risk of being struck by lightning and subsequently falling or becoming a source of debris, hence tree lines pose potential hazards but aren’t as directly dangerous as exposed higher grounds. Flat ground can sometimes provide a bit of shelter, though it is still not the safest choice. Overall, staying in flatlands or valleys is less risky compared to being on exposed higher areas during a lightning storm.