Checking the weather app only works if you do it every couple of hours, assuming you have reception. Here in New England we can have sunshine and warmth all morning long and in the evening - or even afternoon - we'll get hyper-localized, fast-traveling (60mph!) thunderstorms with tree-toppling winds, hail, and torrential downpours. It could be sunshine all day, with a random t-storm rolling through and then sunshine and rainbows (literally). Usually, the forecast predicts them very well, often one can tell from the humidity in the air that there might be rain in the evening, but oftentimes, just like [MENTION=134410]rumrunn6[/MENTION] conveys in his story, they come out of nowhere.

I don't know how trustworthy this website is but if you believe the pictures, lightning doesn't care about a. tallest object b. metal vs. non-metal
Lightning Myths - Lightning always strikes the tallest object

My understanding always was that if you're anywhere near a lightning strike, you're hosed (heat, ground current, and something new I learned about called "side flash")

https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-myths Probably the most trustworthy place for lightning facts. Ahh, here it is - you're hosed:

Myth: If you're caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should crouch down to reduce your risk of being struck.
Fact: Crouching doesn't make you any safer outdoors. Run to a substantial building or hard topped vehicle. If you are too far to run to one of these options, you have no good alternative. You are NOT safe anywhere outdoors. See our safety page for tips that may slightly reduce your risk.