Where (and how frequently) does lightning strike in the US? We explain

As spring approaches, we can expect more severe storms, which can bring deadly lightning strikes. While summer is the busiest season for storms, springtime brings greater activity as temperatures rise and thunderstorm frequency increases.

The United States and its territories reported 21 lightning-related deaths last year. This marks the highest annual number of lightning-related deaths in the U.S. since 2019 and is slightly higher than the 10-year average of 20, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.

Here is a breakdown of when and where lightning struck in the United States in 2025 based on data from Vaisala Xweather, a meteorological data company.

Top months for lightning strikes in the U.S.

There are two essential elements that are necessary for thunderstorms to form: moisture and fast-rising warm air. The combination of high humidity and high temperatures causes large amounts of warm, moist air to rise into the atmosphere. That's where it can easily produce a thunderstorm and the chance of lightning, according to the National Weather Service.

The chart below provided by Xweather shows the valleys of calmer weather and the peaks of lightning activity as storm systems moved across the country last year.

Unable to view our graphics? Click here to reload.

Where lightning strikes the most in the U.S.

In 2025, the peak day occurred on April 5, during a long-lasting severe weather outburst that ran from April 2 to April 6 and caused widespread flooding, tornadoes, and heavy rain in at least ten southern and Midwestern U.S. states, according to Xweather. A strong mid-March outbreak resulted in more than 100 preliminary tornado reports from March 14 across areas of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, including many EF3 – EF4 tornadoes.

Which states made the top 10 in lightning strikes last year? Top states by rank: Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, South Dakota, Arkansas, Iowa and Mississippi.

According to Xweather's Annual Lightning Report, there were 252 million lightning strikes in the U.S. in 2025, an eight-year high and a 20% increase over 2024. The network recorded almost 2 billion global lightning occurrences, 7% fewer than in 2024, and more than 99% of thunderstorms worldwide.

What should you do during a lightning storm?

To help you decide whether to change your outdoor plans, check to see if any thunderstorms have been forecast in your area.

"When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!," the motto of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has been helpful to millions of people. The majority of victims are hit in the open – either on golf courses or beaches – or while they are sheltering under a tree.

These tips will help you lower your risks:

• If outdoors, seek shelter. Stay alert for storms. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from a cloud before and after rain begins. Trees and open-sided shelters are not safe. Seek shelter inside a building or a vehicle.

• Cars offer lightning shelter. If a lightning strike hits a car, the current flows through the metal frame toward the ground. Lightning then jumps from the wheel to the ground.

• Skip the bath or washing dishes. Lightning can travel through a building's plumbing. Avoid contact with running water during a lightning storm to reduce your risk of being struck. It's best to avoid touching any electronics, such as computers or game systems. Lightning can travel through electrical systems.

SOURCE Vaisala Xweather, National Weather Service, NOAA and USA TODAY research