Special Considerations During Thunderstorms & Electrical Storms

 - Mt. Locke’s summit is 6791 feet above mean sea level, and while not the highest summit in the Davis Mountains, it is among the tallest peaks.  Combined with the altitude, there are several very tall structures at or near the summit, including the 107” HJST dome, the 82” Otto Struve dome, and numerous aerial towers.

In a thunderstorm/electrical storm, the summit elevation combined with tall structures on or near the summit make likely targets for lightning strikes.

The local topography/geography is also conducive, and vulnerable to fast-moving storms during various parts of the spring, summer, and fall seasons - because the NWS NexRad Doppler radars are located more than a hundred miles away, we are generally below the radar horizon.  As such, it is necessary to maintain situational and visual awareness.  Look for storm clouds moving toward the mountain, listen for the sounds of thunder, and watch for evidence of lighting strikes (cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground strikes toward the horizon).

 - All the structures at the Mt. Locke summit have integral lightening protection systems.  They are often struck by lightening, and these lightening strikes are safely conducted to ground by the integral protection systems.  During a thunderstorm/electrical storm, you are safe inside any of the summit structures, including the domes, Astronomer’s Lodge, residences, and outbuildings.

 - Avoid walking outdoors during an active thunderstorm/electrical storm - storms are generally very brief and fast-moving, and will clear out of the area rapidly.  You are much safer waiting indoors during a storm, rather than risking a direct strike along the roadways, walkways or particularly exterior parts of the dome structures like catwalks.  Being directly exposed during an electrical storm could result in severe injury or death, and help may not be readily available.

 - Pay particular attention during and after storms to your surroundings - walkways, roadways, and exterior structures like stairways, platforms, landings, and catwalks could be slippery, and hazardous to traverse.  Hail is also common during these storm events, which increases slip and fall hazard.  Lighting strikes may also produce fires, including grass/brush fires, structure fires, or electrical fires associated with downed utility poles and lines.  If you see smoke, or suspect fire, first dial 9, 911 to alert Emergency Dispatch services, then use the McDonald narrow-band radio system (radios are located in all control rooms) to report an emergency on the McDonald repeater, Channel 1 on all radios.  Do not attempt to enter an area where you suspect fire, or downed utility lines!