We all know that June is rainy season in Western Pennsylvania. There’s no harm in running in the rain. In fact, it’s often a welcome relief from summer heat.

But the same conditions that bring peak rain in mid June sometimes produce thunder and lightning, high winds and hail, and an occasional tornado. Those conditions are hazardous at best and can present life-threatening danger.

Summer produces numerous and severe storms when cooler, drier air from the west meets warmer, wetter air from the Atlantic coast and the Gulf Stream. The warm air rises, leaving a low pressure space for cooler air to rush in. The greater the difference between air pressures and humidities in the two air masses, the more intense the storm.

We can’t change the weather. We can only plan for and around the summer storm season to keep running safely.

Plan ahead. Check the week’s forecast and plan your training accordingly. You may have to postpone that long run for a day later in the week or try to squeeze in a quick tempo run between weather fronts.

Even days when storms are predicted may have a window of opportunity. Your best chance for storm-free running is in the morning before heat and humidity increase. Most violent storms, including those with the potential to spawn tornadoes, occur between the hours of 3 and 9 p.m.

Stick close to home. Consider breaking your long run into several loops. Three five-mile loops or five threes may not be as interesting as an adventurous 15-mile romp, but you don’t want to be miles from safety when the skies darken and wind picks up.

Winds of 30 miles per hour can strip branches from trees while 50 mile per hour winds rip siding from houses. Being hit by either while running on trails or roads can be dangerous if not deadly.

Know your neighbors. If you get caught in a sudden storm, seek shelter from lightning bolts, pelting hail, falling branches and flying debris. My guess is that most of the residents along my regular running routes would gladly share their front porch with me in an emergency.

As the saying goes, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” If you hear distant thunder, don’t assume you have enough time for a quick few miles. Lightning can strike anytime from the first time you hear thunder until 30 minutes after the weather front has passed, even if the sky is blue.

You can’t outrun electricity. If you get caught in a storm with serious threat of lightning, your best bet is to blend in with your surroundings. Don’t take shelter under the only tree on the road. Instead, take refuge in a low spot such as a ravine or roadside ditch. And stay away from any metal objects such as road signs or culverts.

Don’t assume you are safe in a shelter or pavilion, especially one that stands alone in an open field. More people are killed by ground current than direct hit by lightning strike.

How lucky are you? Most people who are struck by lightning are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you hear a buzzing or crackling, if hair on your head or arms stands up, if you experience a tingling sensation or see nearby metal objects glow with light (St. Elmo’s Fire), you are in imminent danger of being struck by lightning.

Some recommend crouching down with hands covering your head to minimize the damage while other sources see little evidence to support this. My advice is to pray.

Butler Road Race reminder: Register now for the Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run or 2 Kilometer Run and Health Walk. Prices increase after June 10. Visit www.butlerroadrace.org to register or for more information.

Upcoming events

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Starts at Up-N-Running store with your choice of pace and distance followed by social hour with beer. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturdays: Butler Babes group trail runs, various locations. Run various distances on trails in area parks. tamsuemcg@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Autism Speaks 5k, Sharpsville. 724-992-3234

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Drugs Kill Dreams ½ Marathon, 10k and 5k, Kittanning. briggle@rgymca.org

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Bantam Jeep Muddy 5k Race, Slippery Rock. Run through mud and over/ under obstacles on Bantam Jeep course at Cooper’s Lake. www/bantamjeepfestival.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: RSD Awareness Half Marathon, 6k and 1 Mile Walk, Boston. Run on Yough River Rail Trail. teambrunazzi@gmail.com

June 17, 8:30 a.m.: Greater Clarksburg 10k and 2 Mile, Clarksburg, WV. Run through downtown Clarksburg. 304-672-3637 or runwithhat@yahoo.com

June 17, 8:30 a.m.: Corry 5k Run/ Walk and Half Marathon, Corry. Starts at Corry City Park. 814-664-7757 or lisa_ymca@hotmail.com

June 17, 9 a.m.: Restore the Shore 5k, Moraine State Park. Trail run on Sunken Garden Trail by the South Shore park office. 724-831-9485 or wolfcreektrackclub.com

June 18, 8 a.m.: Father’s Day 5k/ 10k, Allison Park. Run through North Park for prostate cancer awareness. 412-490-0881 or www.lightspeed-racing.com

June 18, 8:30 a.m.: Erie Road Runners Father’s Day 5k Race, Erie. Also ½ mile fun starting at Lake Road, Beach 1. (No dogs or scooters.) 814-490-392 juliaroussos23@gmail.com

June 18, 8:30 a.m.: Get Fit Families Youth Triathlon, Zelienople. Staged from Zelienople Community Park pool. joella@zoominternet.net

June 21, 7 p.m.: Summer Solstice 5k Run/Walk, Moraine State Park. Also 1 mile run/walk at 6:30 p.m. Brenda.r.schwarz@gmail.com

June 24, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race, Butler. Choice of 5 mile run or 2 mile run/walk. 724-284-4676 or butlerroadrace@butlerhealthsystem.org

June 28, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race of the 32nd annual Mercer County Twilight QUAD series. 724-866-1374 or runhigh.com

July 1, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583

July 1, 9 a.m.: Ford City 5k Run/ Walk, Ford City. 757-355-0113 or fordcity5k@gmail.com

July 19 a.m.: Heritage ay 5k, Greenville. Run through Riverview Park. 724-815-6983 or jas26mrun@msn.com

July 5, 7 p.m.: Groundhog Jog 5k, Punxsutawney. Also 2 mile walk. 814-938-1008 or punxsyaccenter@gmail.com

July 8, 7:30 a.m.: Butler YMCA Triathlon, Portersville. Sprint triathlon at Moraine State Park with ¼ mile swim, 7 mile bike, 5k run. 724-287-473, ext. 1 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

July 9, 8:30 a.m.: Hermitage Arts Festival 5k, Hermitage. 724-91-6950 or bgriffin@hermitage.net

July 9, 10 a.m.: Canadohta Lake 5k/10k, Union City. Tanderson0648@gmail.com

July 9, 7:30 a.m.: Trail Blazer 5k and 15k, Meadville. Also 5k walk at 7:50 A.M. All events on Ernst Rail Trail. 814-853-8572 or www.ernsttrail.org

Race results

Pittsburgh Half Marathon, May 6 (finishing times under 1:53:00): Cyrus Korir, 1st Overall M, 1:04:14; Gladys Kipsoi, 1st Overall W, 1:12:09; Mark Hunkele, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:25:11; Christine Lazzara, 1st 40-44 W, 1:29:38; Mark Courtney, 3rd 60-64 M, 135:13; Michelle Kochan, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:38:50; Gary Bell, 1st 70-74 M, 1:53:07; Travis Myers-Arrigoni, 1:21:39; Michael Dreves, 1:24:59; Jason Sittler, 1:27:14; Michael Smocer, 1:28:27; Grant Fleming, 1:29:59; Aaron Kniess, 1:30:57; Jacob Mashuda, 1:31:30; Haley Pisarci, 1:31:57; Li Batchelet, 1:32:38; Adam Shoup, 1:33:41; Christopher Lazzara, 1:34:06; Rob DiLoreto, 1:34:27; Anthony Miller, 1:34:41; Christopher Rowoth, 1:34:51; Rachel Martin, 1:34:53; Josh Venderlic, 1:35:04; Brooks Davidson, 1:37:24; Holly Whoolery, 1:37:37; Robert Waltrip, 1:37:40; Caitlin Snyder, 1:38:07; Michael Sheid, 1:39:17; Jennifer Marcotte, 1:39:19; David Ursiak, 1:39:42; Brian Jones, 1:39:56; Keith Mularski, 1:40:37; Jim Haughey, 1:40:56; Nicole Harmon, 1:40:59; Samuel MAshuda, 141:02; Catherine Hrach, 1:41:07; Kim pears, 1:41:07; Dianne Zalenski, 1:41:09; Stephanie Weibley, 1:41:37; Matthew Hickey, 1:41:41; Matt Rhenish, 1:41:55; Morgan Camerlo, 1:42:22; Matt Marshall, 1:42:23; Jeff Petro, 1:42:24; David Waldschmidt, 1:42:29; Russell Howells, 1:42:33; Joshua Lewis, 1:42:39; Ben Ivan, 1:42:52; Bernadette Lewis, 1:42:54; Sean Byrne, 1:42:58; Sydney Cole, 1:42:58; Nikki Williams, 1:43:00; Dean Rippee, 1:43:03; Greg Marburger, 1:43:05; Steve Mote, 1:43:20; Jonathan Bost, 1:43:22; Steve Schupp, 1:43:24; Anna Althouse, 1:43:28; Christopher MAger, 1:43:32; Matthew Corbin, 1:43:35; Bryan Kristen, 1:43:38; Michael Baxa, 1:43:52; Daniel Cannon, 1:43:53; Mitch Radella, 1:44:13; Rich Hamiliton, 1:44:15; Gwendolyn Musser, 1:44:16; Tracy Mitchell, 1:44:30; Kevin Basel, 1:44:36; Jason Koss, 1:44:37; Stephen Salvatore, 1:44:41; Anthony Ross, 1:44:46; Stephen Arendosh, 1:44:48; Matt Grossma, 1:44:56; Emily Utz, 1:44:56; Dorothy Moxie, 1:45:14; Joel Sterniak, 1:45:24; Kelly Sterniak, 1:45:24; Brian Hildebrand, 1:45:31; Donald Donatelli, 1:45:42; Jeffrey Hoban, 1:45:43; Gary Valkavitch, 1:45:46 Alissa Beam, 1:45:49; Alexander Bellows, 1:46:14; Erin Rice, 1:46:15; Bob Monahan, 146:54; Bryan Colonna, 1:47:00; Tim Vandall, 1:47:00; Lauren Lang, 1:47:11; Matt Wheeler, 1:47:17; Adam Gustetic, 1:47:22; Tim Botti, 1:47:27; Dan Spears, 1:47:29; Danielle Rosswog, 1:47:34; Jerry Kosar, 1:47:37; Henry Bernacki, 1:47:41; Anne Bernacki, 1:47:42; And Ferguson, 1:47:57; Robert Carpenter, 1:48:01; Christa Carpenter, 1:48:09; Erica Bednarowski, 1:48:14; Lindsey Monahan, 1:48:18; Allison McDermott, 1:48:19; Lisa Kostelnik, 1:48:28; Karen Shearon, 1:48:41; Scott Cook, 1:48:47; Amanda Zacchia, 1:48:50; Chuck Sarver, 1:48:57; Randy Rawa, 1:49:03; Vince Seger, 1:49:07; Michael Cortese, 1:49:11; Billy Messe, 1:49:27; Joshua Noble, 1:49:28; Dean Longwell, 1:49:41; Thomas Patterson, 1:49:46; Joel Alampi, 1:49:47; Jennifer Bole, 1:49:49; Christopher Boyd, 1:50:00; Michael Grubee, 1:50:; Megan Rippin, 1:50:15; Jun Matsumoto, 1:50:26; Josh Hooke 1:5033; Amy Peterson, 1:50:33; Allison Keck, 1:50:38; Gabrielle Pierre, 1:50:48; Corey Savannah, 1:50:50; Peter Horne, 1:50:5; Kirk Hageter, 1:50:59; Michelle Perri, 1:51:04; Paul Halenda, 1:51:17; Michon Kerlin, 1:51:21; Peter Cipkins, 1:51:23; Carolyn Lees-Hotton, 1:51:43; Joe Simoes, 1:51:45; Elizabeth Smialek, 1:51:49; Jessica Price, 1:51:49; Alexander Kern, 1:51:51; Laura Smith, 1:51:52; Ryan Richards, 1:51:53; Megan Gllagher, 1:51:55; Antony Brewer, 1:51:57; Michael Nvosel, 1:52:07; Crystal Huey, 1::52:09; Fernando Zertuche, 1:52:10; Timothy Frank, 1:52:13; Michael Denove, 1:52:18; JordanAhlquist, 1:52:21; Jocelyn Rowe, 1:52:21; Carrie Denk, 1:52:21; Keith Doak, 1:52:29; John Crum, 1:52:40; Jeff Rupprecht, 1:52:42; Connie Hoffer, 1:52:46; Rhonda Merhaut, 1:52:51; Brian Irwin, 1:52:58; John Lesjack, 1:52:59

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.