Is it safe to leave a computer on during a thunderstorm?

No, it is not safe to leave a computer turned on or plugged in during a storm. If lightning should strike a near by power pole/line/transformer or your home, the voltage from the lightning bolt could surge through the electrical lines and damage the computer and could possibly shock you. Contrary to popular belief, surge protectors do not offer enough protection against lightning strikes. It is best to unplug any electronic devices during a storm.

The reason is more to protect your appliances. If there's a power surge, it'll ruin your stuff. It should actually be unplugged as well. But honestly, I don't go around and unplug all my appliances during a storm, soooo... If the power goes out, it could mess up your circuits if there's too much of a power requirement when the electricity comes back on, too. I have a laptop so I simply unplug it from the power chord during a storm, so I'm lucky I can still surf the web as long as Internet service isn't lost.

A power surge could destroy your computer should lightning strike close by. Surge protectors are an inexpensive way to protect your computer and other pieces of electronic equipment

The reason is more to protect your appliances. If there's a power surge, it'll ruin your stuff. It should actually be unplugged as well. But honestly, I don't go around and unplug all my appliances during a storm, soooo... If the power goes out, it could mess up your circuits if there's too much of a power requirement when the electricity comes back on, too. I have a laptop so I simply unplug it from the power chord during a storm, so I'm lucky I can still surf the web as long as Internet service isn't lost.

A power surge could destroy your computer should lightning strike close by. Surge protectors are an inexpensive way to protect your computer and other pieces of electronic equipment

If you have a surge protector into which the power and any phone lines are plugged, then yes you can leave your computer on during a thunderstorm. If you don't have a surge protector, a nearby strike can fry your computer. It happened to me. Fortunately I was insured and the insurance company paid for a new one. Very simply, if there are thunderstorms close by, unplug the computer (you can do your TV and DVD player as well for the same reason).

no it is not safe because it could corrupt mostly all of your data or memory on there and could also mess up the motor that is what happened to my other computer.

I had thunderstorms turn on my computer during a close lighting strike during the night.

If you have a surge protector into which the power and any phone lines are plugged, then yes you can leave your computer on during a thunderstorm. If you don't have a surge protector, a nearby strike can fry your computer. It happened to me. Fortunately I was insured and the insurance company paid for a new one. Very simply, if there are thunderstorms close by, unplug the computer (you can do your TV and DVD player as well for the same reason).