Lightning Awareness Week: What You Need to Know

Every third week of June is designated as Lightning Awareness Week. This week is used to bring awareness to the dangers of nature’s fireworks.

Lightning can take the life of roughly 20 people per year, according to the National Weather Service, and it’s no surprise that Florida is the lightning capital of the United States.

So far this year, there have already been four lightning fatalities, two of which have occurred in the Sunshine State.

Florida leads the country in lightning deaths, with more than 70% of lightning deaths occurring from June through August. These months are when thunderstorm activity fires up almost daily. Thunderstorms can also be triggered by tropical systems during the hurricane season or cold fronts during winter and spring.