Mr. Weatherblogger recently (OK, a week ago - it takes time to become an instant expert) received this query from reader Allyson Mattanah, who clearly is a fitness nut:

"Is there any danger to swimmers in an INDOOR pool during a thunderstorm? My health club closes their indoor pool during lightning, but it seems rather unnecessary. Please respond."

Frankly, it seemed kind of unnecessary to me, too. But not wanting to look dumb on the record when I can avoid it, I forwarded Allyson's question to David Manning, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Sterling, Va. forecast office.

"You've got me on that one," Manning said. But he went to work and found us all an answer. More specifically, he referred us to the National Lightning Safety Institute Web page.

The bottom line: swimming pools - all swimming pools, whether indoors or out - are connected to the rest of the world by an extensive network of pipes and wires, all of which conduct electricity. And a lightning strike somewhere nearby could conceivably transmit a powerful jolt into the pool. Clearly, not a good place to be in a thunderstorm.

Curiously, the discussion on the National Lightning Safety Institute Website says there are no known reports of anyone being killed while swimming in an indoor pool during a lightning storm. But lighting strikes have destroyed circulation pumps and electrical boxes, and blown slides off their concrete footings. There are also plenty of reports of people in other storts of buildings being zapped while using telephones and other appliances. It's easy enough to put two and two together and recognize there has to be some risk to indoor swimmers.

So, the sensible advice would be to close the pool, get everyone out and wait for the storm to pass - at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard.