When thunder roars, head indoors. Lightning is one of the fastest and most dangerous weather threats, and it can strike miles away from a storm. If you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to be hit.

The safest place to be is inside a sturdy building. Avoid open fields, tall trees, and metal objects, and never take shelter under a tree. If you’re caught outside, get low to the ground but don’t lie flat.

Lightning is one of nature’s most powerful — and dangerous — forces. But just how intense is it?

A single lightning bolt can be five times hotter than the surface of the sun, reaching temperatures of around 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

It also packs a serious punch — the average lightning strike carries about 300 million volts of electricity. That’s enough energy that, if it could be captured, it could power a small town for an entire day.

But beyond the science, lightning poses a real threat. On average, it causes about 20 deaths and more than 240 injuries each year in the United States.

And remember, wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before heading back out. When it comes to lightning, it’s always better to play it safe.

So when thunder roars, head indoors — because lightning is as dangerous as it is fascinating.