National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Tracking Two Storms Impacting the Northern U.S. Through Thanksgiving and into This Weekend

Heavy lake effect snow, gusty winds, and localized blizzard conditions will persist through Thanksgiving near and downwind of the Great Lakes. Rain and mountain snow are forecast for the Pacific Northwest. Confidence is increasing for another winter storm to develop over the northern and central Rockies Friday and track across the central Plains through the Midwest and Great Lakes this weekend. Read More >

Lightning Intro
Did you Know
Lightning Safety
Myths vs. Facts

Lightning, on average, causes 93 deaths and 300 injuries each year. In Texas alone, 34 people have been killed by lightning during the last nineCounty Area Map Showing Lightning Injuries and Deaths years. 184 injuries and nearly 23 million dollars (est.) in damages can also be attributed to Texas lightning since the beginning of 1995.  

So if lightning causes so much death and destruction, why is it called the underrated killer? 
Because often we fail to follow safety precautions, especially when we are caught outdoors, where most lightning deaths and injuries occur. Did you know that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning? 

Protect yourself and others from the underrated killer by reading more of our did-you-knows, myths versus facts, and lightning safety tips.

Texas Lightning Stats from Jan 1, 1999 through Mar 31, 2000

 

Texas Lightning Stats

Year

Killed Injured Damage
2004 3 58 .74M
2003 4 5 3.6M
2002 2 5 .97M
2001 1 6 1.4M
2000 5 19 .20M
1999 3 11 2.5M
1998 2 11 .88M
1997 3 34 6.4M
1996 6 7 4.4M
1995 5 28 1.7M

 

How To Estimate Lightning Distance
(miles from strike)

5 Second Rule PictureCount the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, then divide by 5.