I don't know about using a radio as a lightning warning device, but I have noticed that a lightning strike produces a burst of static on AM frequencies (doesn't seem to work on FM). I really don't see how this would help you avoid being struck, unless it also produces some kind of static signature before the actual strike (I have never noticed this, maybe because I have never been struck by lightning while listening to an AM radio). Avoiding holding a long whip antenna in a storm would be advised.<br><br>