Dear Tom,
Since rubber is an insulator, does wearing rubber-soled shoes, being on a bike or in a car reduce the risk of being struck by lightning? If not, why?
Don S., Geneva
Dear Don,
Because rubber will not conduct electricity, it is widely but incorrectly believed that wearing rubber shoes or riding on a bicycle can somehow offer protection from lightning. They offer absolutely no protection.
Consider this: Air is also a poor electric conductor, but that does not prevent the formation of lightning bolts several miles in length.
Protection from lighting is offered only by devices that attract the bolt and conduct the resulting current to ground safely around and away from people within the protected space. Lightning rods and the metal shell of an automobile will do that. Rubber shoes and tires will not.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
