What state has the most lightning strikes annually?

Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States, with storms occurring approximately 100 days out of the year, compared to California's low of only 5. Numerous deaths from lightening also happen annually in Florida: 62 people died here over the last decade. Lightnings appear here so often because of the geographical location of the state: it's situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. That's why the level of moisture in Florida is high, which provides very good conditions for these frequent thunderstorms.

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42 Comments

John McDowell

A little grammar check. Lightning, not lightening. Also should read lightning appears (not lightnings appear). I know, I'm just picky.

R Yancey

According to a reference authoritative source Texas is the correct answer. It had 27.7 million lightning strikes in 2022 alone.

Katherine Lake

Texas has the most because it's bigger and on the Gulf. Badly worded question.

earlepg

it looks like Mark got a bit confused. Florida does indeed have the highest density of lightning storms (per square mile), however Texas has the highest number of total storms spread across the entire state. The question, after all, does ask HOW MANY ANNUALLY? It's unforfunate that 14.4% of us must suffer for this mistake while 33.5% got lucky.

David Lamoreaux

Bad answer! Texas has the most!

Lawanta

jonbroberts, Texas is also bigger geographically, so more space available for lightning to strike⚡️

stradie

Michael Doherty, I live in California, Southern California, and I believe it. Lightening is very rare here. When it does happen it's a treat!

peachesjoy

John McDowell, I saw that also

Sandra Caulfield

Very interesting. I would have thought that it would be in the mid-west.

Rebecca Del Medico

Florida is an incorrect answer. "Apparently, the saying "Everything's bigger in Texas" includes the weather. With nearly 3 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes per year, Texas sees over twice as many CG flashes as runner-up, Florida."

Alix Long

Too many golfers! Seriously, though—I was “chased” by a column of lightening that followed my across the street during Hurricane Floyd. Made my hair stand on end.