A bolt of lightning can heat up to 50,000 °F in less than a second, helping to produce a sound we know as thunder. The temperature is around five times hotter than the surface of the Sun.

The numbers became real when a Colorado man was hit by lightning in New Smyrna Beach June 20 as he stood in ankle-deep water. Initially in critical condition after being hospitalized, the 29-year-old ...

About 10 percent of lightning-stroke victims are killed, and 70 percent suffer serious long-term effects. About 400 people survive lightning strokes in the U.S. each year.

Florida's Polk County, though, had the highest total lightning density: about 852,000 last year.

As the summer months approach, lightning activity will soon ramp up. More than 70% of lightning-related deaths take place in June, July and August. Those months are also when people spend the most ...

As the summer months approach, lightning activity will soon ramp up. More than 70% of lightning-related deaths take place in June, July and August. Those months are also when people spend the most ...

By that metric, Florida holds the crown as the lightning capital of the U.S., with about 91 events per square kilometer. Here is the top five: 1.) Florida - 91.4 events per square kilometer 2 ...

The top county in the U.S. when it came to flash density, or the number of lightning strikes per square mile, in 2024 was St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, which had 266.

The top county in the U.S. when it came to flash density, or the number of lightning strikes per square mile, in 2024 was St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, which had 266.

The top county in the U.S. when it came to flash density, or the number of lightning strikes per square mile, in 2024 was St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, which had 266.

The top county in the U.S. when it came to flash density, or the number of lightning strikes per square mile, in 2024 was St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, which had 266.