National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Strong to Severe Storms in the Upper Midwest; Bering Sea Low Continues to Impact Southwest Alaska

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday across central and eastern Minnesota, Iowa, and western Wisconsin. A few tornadoes, isolated very large hail, and damaging winds may occur. In southwest Alaska, a Bering Sea low continues to cause strong winds, significant rainfall, and high seas, with further impacts expected Friday into the weekend from a North Pacific storm. Read More >

Lightning...The Underrated Killer

Lightning Intro
Did you Know
Lightning Safety
Myths vs. Facts

Did You Know?

10 miles

Lightning can strike you even 10 miles away from its parent thunderstorm!

It's estimated that 100 flashes of lightning per minute are occurring around the globe!

Picture of the Earth

Lightning Cartoon

Lightning has an electric potential of some 100 million volts.

Lightning starts some 10,000 forest fires each year.

Picture of Fire caused by Lightning

Picture of Sun

The air near a lightning strike is heated to around 50,000 degrees F - Hotter than the surface of the sun!

The average flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months.

Picture of Lightbulb

Picture of Volcano

Lightning is usually associated with thunderstorms, but it can occur in emissions from volcanoes and dust storms.