Commuting - T-storms vs. showers/forecasted rain

Do you plan anything differently if the weather forecast is calling for thunder storms, some severe vs. regular rain showers? I live in a flat, rural, farming area. For most of my ride, I am the highest point. I have no desire to be struck by lightning while riding something metal. Any suggestions? I'm not talking about the usual, summer afternoon T-storms either. Here on the east coast it's been nothing but rain,sigh, but lately they have been calling for severe weather some days. Hell, the days it rains, it's eassier to ride since the wind sometimes is lower when it's raining vs. when it's not.

I make sure I have my rain gear on the rack. No planning required. However, I am in an urban area where lightning has plenty of higher things to strike.

The stuff about metal and thunderstorms is an old spouses' tale. However, large, treeless open areas are not a good place to be. People do get zapped in palying fielda and golf courses. How far away are the trees/houses/powerlines from where you will be?

Thunderstorms usually are of short duration -- maybe a half hour or so. You can use local radar on the Internet to see whether there is one headed toward your route before you leave.

Paul

Originally posted by PaulH

Thunderstorms usually are of short duration -- maybe a half hour or so. You can use local radar on the Internet to see whether there is one headed toward your route before you leave.


Yes, "live doppler radar" is a wonderful thing for commuting cyclists. T-storms are usually not only short, but relatively small and moving in a straight line. I find that there can be a prediction of storms in my vicinity but when I check the radar, they're passing well north of my route. Or that I need to find something to do for half an hour until they pass.

RichC

The only plan I make is that I allow a little more time so I can stay out and soak up the rain a bit longer. I also tend to linger if I get to see a good light show out to the South Pacific watching a storm roll in. I know there's a lot of paranoia about riding in lightning storms, but to be honest, being struck by lightning is a pretty remote possibility compared to some of the other things we risk everyday. I, for one, am not going to let a one in a million possibility stop me from doing something.

I just ride it, you only get so wet.

In my case, no special planning for thunderstorm. In Montréal, there are plenty of structures, poles and power lines to hit first. And when I am touring, it's mostly through forests (I'm in Québec), and I don't have weather forecasts. If it looks horrible, I will try to duck under an underpass or in a restaurant, but in many places I tour, the thunderstorm would be over before I find anything to hide into.

Regards