Top 5 Lightning Prone States | The Weather Channel (2024)

Lightning Frequency in the United States

During the spring, thunderstorms become more frequent across the country before peaking in the summer months. With those loud claps of thunder come the vivid, but dangerous, displays of lightning.

(SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS: Thunderstorm Safety)

Using data from Vaisala Inc. on the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lightning safety website, we are counting down the top five most lightning-prone states. This is based on the average number of cloud-to-ground lightning flashes per square mile each year on information collected from 1997 to 2011.

It should come as no surprise that the states making this list are all from the South. This is illustrated very well by the graphic at the left, which shows the highest concentration of lightning frequency (darker oranges, red) over this region of the country.

Next, let's begin the countdown with #5.

#5 Arkansas: 15.2 Strikes Per Square Mile

Above: iWitness Weather Lightning Photos

• 810,444 strikes per year with an average of 15.2 per square mile.
• No reported lightning fatalities in 2012.
• 123 fatalities from 1959-2011, which is the 11th most in the nation.
• Meteorological factors: Frontal systems during the spring, fall and winter can produce thunderstorms at times. Pop-up afternoon thunderstorms in the summer.

#4 Alabama: 16 Strikes Per Square Mile

Above: Lightning Strikes in Iconic Places

• 826,473 strikes per year with an average of 16 per square mile.
• Two fatalities in 2012. A total of seven since 2006.
• 110 deaths from 1959-2011, which is the 12th most of any state.
• The city of Mobile ranks number nine on the top 15 list of metropolitan areas with the most lightning fatalities per square mile, 1959-2006 (Source: Ashley and Gilson, 2009)
• Meteorological factors: The warm, humid air mass that exists during the summer plus the heating of the sun results in daily pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. Along the coast, sea-breeze fronts can also produce a large amount of thunderstorm activity. Frontal systems during the spring, fall and winter can produce thunderstorms at times.

#3 Mississippi: 18.4 Strikes Per Square Mile

• 875,720 strikes per year with an average of 18.4 per square mile.
• No deaths in 2012. A total of five since 2006.
• 105 deaths from 1959-2011, which is the 15th most of any state.
• Meteorological factors: The warm, humid air mass that exists during the summer plus the heating of the sun results in daily pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. Along the coast, sea-breeze fronts can also produce a large amount of thunderstorm activity. Frontal systems during the spring, fall and winter can produce thunderstorms at times.

#2 Louisiana: 19.7 Strikes Per Square Mile

• 909,919 strikes per year with an average of 19.7 per square mile.
• Two fatalities in 2012. A total of seven since 2006.
• 139 deaths from 1959-2011, which is the 7th most of any state.
• Meteorological factors: The warm, humid air mass that exists during the summer plus the heating of the sun results in daily pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. Along the coast, sea-breeze fronts can also produce a large amount of thunderstorm activity. Frontal systems during the spring, fall and winter can produce thunderstorms at times.

#1 Florida: 24.7 Strikes Per Square Mile

• 1,414,284 strikes per year with an average of 24.7 per square mile.
• Five fatalities in 2012. A total of 32 since 2006.
• 463 deaths from 1959-2011, which is the most of any state.
• Based on a study by Ashley and Gilson in 2009, Florida also had 10 of the top 15 metropolitan areas with the most lightning fatalities per square mile from 1959-2006.
• Meteorological factors: The close proximity of both Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic moisture make the Sunshine State a breeding ground for thunderstorms. During the summer, sea breeze fronts are a prolific producer of thunderstorms each afternoon. From late fall through winter and early spring, cold fronts slicing through the state can bring bouts of storms from time to time.

(SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS:Thunderstorm Safety)

Least Lightning Prone State? Washington

Out of the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, Washington is the least lightning-prone state.

The Evergreen State only sees around 21,000 strikes per year, with an average of 0.3 strikes per square mile. This is between 1 and 2 percent of the number of strikes Florida sees in a year.

Since 1959, the state has seen the fewest number of fatalities due to lightning, with a total of five.

Four other states in the West occupy the bottom five: Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and California.

(MORE: Lightning formation, facts, safety)