Electric Earth
With over 2 billion events a year, lightning is a near-constant presence in our atmosphere. But for all its dazzling beauty, there’s no denying that lightning brings danger, disruption, and destruction to our lives.
Air travel: With 2024 passenger numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we examine the impact of lightning at the world's 20 busiest airports.
Wind energy: As turbines grow taller, so does the risk of lightning strikes. We analyzed 9 years of lightning data to find the most lightning-prone U.S. wind farms.
Record heat: 2024 was the hottest year on record. Our detailed lightning density maps show how lightning activity in 2024 compared with the previous eight-year average.
We also reveal the 2024 U.S. state lightning capitals, rank U.S. states by lightning activity, and highlight the year’s top 5 dates for lightning.
"Severe weather can be life-threatening. Putting the right safety measures in place can make all the difference in keeping people safe, getting from A to B on time, and ensuring renewable energy keeps flowing into the grid."
Ryan Said
Senior Lightning Scientist
Vaisala
Real-time lightning detection and data
Vaisala is the global leader in end-to-end lightning solutions that enable safe and efficient operations.
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