National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Watching Hurricane Erin; Heavy Rainfall Threat for Upper Midwest; Heatrisk for Mississippi Valley

Hurricane Erin continues to track westward with its outer bands bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds for Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are occurring and will spread across the Atlantic coasts this week. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and possible flooding are in the forecast for upper Midwest through Monday. Heatrisk continues for the Mississippi Valley. 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.