The effect of the storage conditions of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) electrodes on diffusible hydrogen in the weld metal was investigated. Eight different electrodes were exposed to atmospheric conditions as well as being stored at 120degreesC and 200degreesC. The length of exposure ranged from three to fourteen days. Electrodes of all strengths and from all manufactures showed negligible increases in diffusible hydrogen levels when stored at 200degreesC. Small increases were noted at 120degreesC while large increases were seen when the electrodes were exposed to 23degreesC and 70% relative humidity. Electrodes from hermetically sealed tins showed a wide range of initial diffusible hydrogen values, while conditioned electrodes showed less variability. Diffusible hydrogen levels remained constant for atmospheric exposure times of 1 hour or less mandated by AWS D1.1 5.3.2.2. The diffusible hydrogen levels for the E76018 (11018) and the E82018 (12018) electrodes, which are not covered by D1.1, were high enough to cause some concern for welding high strength steels.