Lightning Safety and Myth Busting with NOAA Meteorologist Charlie Woodrum (BPR #308)
Backpacker Radio
Zach Davis
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 2 June 2025
⏱️ 124 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are giving you the lowdown on everything to do with lightning safety. We are joined by Charlie Woodrum who is the Preparedness and Resilience Lead with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service. We learn all about the biggest myths regarding lightning safety (including how metal trekking poles aren’t an added risk while backpacking), clear guidance on minimizing risk when caught in a thunderstorm, telltale signs of when the weather is going to turn, at what distance from a lightning strike are you considered safe, and much more.
We wrap the show with some new YouTube videos from The Trek, the scariest weather Zach and Chaunce have ever encountered, Zach's new stupidest thing of the week: fork edition, and the triple crown of juices.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
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Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off at shadyrays.com.
Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.
[divider]
Interview with Charlie Woodrum
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:20 - Reminders: listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek!
00:11:15 - Introducing Charlie
00:12:20 - Tell us about NOAA
00:14:02 - How did you initially get into weather?
00:16:56 - Do meteorologists have certain traits?
00:19:03 - What is the perfect date for weather?
00:22:50 - Are you ever bored when the weather is calm?
00:23:35 - Are there hot topics in the meteorology community?
00:25:57 - Do you have any crazy storm chasing stories?
00:34:11 - What are the biggest misconceptions about lightning?
00:36:28 - What should you do when hiking above treeline?
00:38:00 - Is the timing between thunder and lightning real?
00:39:24 - What are your recommended weather apps?
00:40:40 - How far away should you be from lightning strikes to be considered safe?
00:41:35 - Do you find that free weather apps are sufficient?
00:42:50 - What are some of the early signs of a thunderstorm forming?
00:44:11 - What are the cues for specific locations?
00:46:45 - Do you not have to worry about lightning before you hear thunder?
00:47:56 - Where should you be when in a forest?
00:50:00 - Is the lightning crouch still recommended?
00:51:30 - What if there’s no treeline around?
00:53:30 - Where should you put your tent?
00:57:00 - What percentage of lightning strikes are fatal?
00:59:40 - What do you do if someone gets struck by lightning?
01:02:05 - Should hikers be concerned about metal objects they’re carrying?
01:03:30 - What about bodies of water?
01:04:40 - What are some obvious questions that we haven’t asked?
01:06:35 - What should you do if you feel tingly or there’s static in the air?
01:08:27 - At what percentage of forecasted storms would you feel comfortable going outside?
01:11:00 - When is it safe to go back up to the treeline?
01:12:00 - Are there places where weather is harder to predict?
01:14:05 - What impact do you think AI will have on the future of forecasting?
01:16:16 - Are there any tech innovations that you’re excited about?
01:17:30 - Where can people keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Is Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo a Terrible Idea? By Katie Jackson
QOTD: What’s the scariest weather you’ve ever encountered?
Triple Crown of juices
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by the Trek, brought to you by Element. |
| 0:04.0 | We are giving you the lowdown on everything to do with lightning safety. |
| 0:07.4 | We're joined by Charlie Woodrum, who is the preparedness and resilience lead with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. |
| 0:16.5 | We learn all about the biggest myths regarding lightning safety, including how metal trekking |
| 0:21.3 | poles aren't an added risk while backpacking, clear guidance on minimizing risk when caught |
| 0:26.8 | in a thunderstorm, tell tell signs of when the weather is going to turn, at what distance |
| 0:31.8 | from a lightning strike you are considered safe, and much more. |
| 0:36.0 | We wrap the show with some new YouTube content from the Trek, the scariest |
| 0:39.6 | weather chaunce and I have ever encountered my new stupidest thing of the week, fork edition, |
| 0:44.6 | and the triple crown of juices. But first, if you've listened to this podcast for any period |
| 0:50.7 | of time, I've sounded like a broken record about the importance of supplementing |
| 0:54.3 | with electrolytes while backpacking. During my first through hike, I landed in the hospital |
| 0:59.3 | with a condition called hyponotremia, a fancy term for low blood sodium levels. Symptoms |
| 1:04.7 | included intense headaches, dizziness, and generally feeling like a bag of Richards. This |
| 1:10.1 | happened as a result of heavy sweating, over consuming water, and underconsuming |
| 1:14.6 | electrolytes. |
| 1:15.6 | A couple of saline IVs and a hefty medical bill later, and my energy was magically restored. |
| 1:21.6 | Somewhat counterintuitively, but electrolytes become even more important in cold temperatures |
| 1:25.6 | and at elevation, as our thirst decreases |
| 1:28.9 | at a faster pace than we lose fluids via sweat and urine. In other words, electrolytes and |
| 1:35.0 | backpacking go together like peanut butter and jelly, which is why I'm thrilled to introduce |
| 1:39.5 | today's sponsor, Elements. Element is a science-backed zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix designed to support active |
... |
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