[Comfortably Numb]

What is this rain that you all speak of 

It's like a desert down here in the tropical south 

[8doubles]

Two years ago we had a violent hailstorm in June that ripped the garden to shreds , 20mm hailstones that broke glass and turned rhubarb and squash leaves to confetti .
There was even a 50mm drift of hailstones around the runner bean roots.
I was suprised all the plants recovered and cropped well.

[rachelr]

NO the rain stoppeed very quick we so need more

[gowing238]

popped up the lottie earlier and am pleased to say my baby calabrese plants withstood the hail storm!!! Yippeee!!! (Wish i could say the same for my neighbours adjoining pebble dashed wall!! Which is all over my backyard!!)

[lovemyveg]

Here in Shropshire we had thunder, lightning and very large hailstones.  I was in the greenhouse and must say was quite frightened (glass and aluminium).  I have rubber matting on the floor, but anyone know if this is a dangerous place to be at such times.  I know that sitting in a car is OK, but a greenhouse - not sure about this?

[8doubles]

Aircraft are aluminium and you get a 'cage effect' where the current goes around the outside .
Dosen`t mean you won`t be toasted in a greenhouse though.
Safer than out in the rain! 

[lovemyveg]

I got caught in my greenhouse during the thunder, lightning and hail stones.  This is toughened glass and aluminium.  Should I have been in there, or escaped to the outside and get saturated?  I have rubber matting on the floor, but would like to know for the future how dangerous it is (or not) to remain in the greenhouse.

[JayG]

I got caught in my greenhouse during the thunder, lightning and hail stones.  This is toughened glass and aluminium.  Should I have been in there, or escaped to the outside and get saturated?  I have rubber matting on the floor, but would like to know for the future how dangerous it is (or not) to remain in the greenhouse.

Found THIS for you!

(My conclusion is that you are no safer inside than standing outside, and I certainly wouldn't want to be anywhere near a greenhouse fitted with standard horticultural glass if struck by lightning!)

[8doubles]

My thinking was that your chances of survival if you got struck while soaking wet outside the greenhouse are nil.
Inside the g/house you are dry and on a rubber mat so you may survive.

The only time i get nervous about lightning is out at sea in a small boat when you are the tallest thing for miles. :blink:

[mike1987]

wouldnt the greenhouse act like a faraday cage and take the electric away from you and to the ground

[Ice]

The frame would have to be earthed and you would have to be absolutely sure you were not standing in a puddle or touching the sides.  Even then it's the last place I would want to be in a storm.

[lovemyveg]

I got caught in my greenhouse during the thunder, lightning and hail stones.  This is toughened glass and aluminium.  Should I have been in there, or escaped to the outside and get saturated?  I have rubber matting on the floor, but would like to know for the future how dangerous it is (or not) to remain in the greenhouse.

Found THIS for you!

(My conclusion is that you are no safer inside than standing outside, and I certainly wouldn't want to be anywhere near a greenhouse fitted with standard horticultural glass if struck by lightning!)

Thank you for all your replies and I have read the link above, so am wiser now.  Sorry I repeated the question, but my very efficient mail server shifted the reply notifications into the spam box and I have only just found them.  I was caught in the greenhouse unexpectedly and, as forecast by the weather station, thought this was going to be a shower so was pleased at the time that I had some cover. The storm that followed so quickly gave me no chance to get anywhere else.  My only other choice was the shed, which has corrugated metal roof.  After the storm had ended my husband appeared with a brolly and a cup of tea, he was unaware that I was stranded there - where are these lovely people when you most need them?


(edited to clarify quote)