It is a much calmer and less exciting forecast this week than we had last. A weak trough of low pressure over the Pacific Northwest will give us just enough stabilizing southwest flow over the Great Basin to keep our skies mostly clear through the weekend, although a few afternoon clouds popping up here and there are a likely result of all the moisture left over from the storms lately. High temperatures will remain mild in the upper 80s to the low 90s through the weekend as well.

So you are caught out in the wilds in a thunderstorm. The best option is to get into a hardtop automobile. Even if the car were struck, the steel surrounding you (not the rubber tires, as some believe) would most likely protect you from electrocution. (This is a better example of a Faraday Cage.) If you are out away from buildings and cars, do not try and find cover under a lone tree or an isolated stand of trees. You will only be going toward the most likely place the lightning will strike.

So what are your options? Basically, you want to get into the least likely path that electricity will take if it’s trying to get into the ground from the sky. First, get to the lowest spot you can. A creek or drainage ditch is usually good, but don’t get into any water, and be aware of the possibility of flash flooding if the thunderstorm is producing heavy rains. Remove any backpack you might be wearing. Crouch down on the balls of your feet (don’t curl up on the ground) and get as low as possible until the storm passes.