As global warming increases the likelihood of thunderstorms, understanding lightning safety is crucial. Recent incidents, including the death of Norwegian Olympic medalist Audun Grønvold, highlight the dangers.

Danish crime writer Lars Bedsted Gommesen survived a lightning strike in 2006 but still suffers lasting effects. Gommesen experienced nerve damage, memory loss, and disorientation after the incident. He emphasizes the isolation and challenges faced by lightning strike survivors, noting that many struggle with mental health issues and isolation.

While Denmark statistically sees less than one lightning-related death per year, experts warn that rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of thunderstorms. On June 18, 2002, Denmark recorded over 200,000 lightning strikes, a national record. More recently, on July 15 of this year, DMI registered 164 lightning strikes over Denmark.

Several incidents underscore the potential for tragedy. In 2006, a boy was killed during a football match in Ulfborg. In 2009, FC Nordsjælland football player Jonathan Richter was struck, resulting in a coma and leg amputation. The same year, a 69-year-old man died while seeking shelter from a thunderstorm during a golf game. In 2004, 31 cows were killed by a single strike while sheltering under a tree.

John Cappelen, a climate researcher emeritus at DMI, advises that if caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, drop any metal objects like golf clubs or fishing rods to minimize your contact surface. If shelter is unavailable, squat down in a hollow to make yourself as small as possible.

Seeking shelter in a car or building is recommended. Avoid single trees or tall objects. Do not touch radiators or electrical conductors, and refrain from showering or bathing during a thunderstorm. Disconnecting power to sensitive electronics can prevent damage.