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In an unexpected twist of meteorological fate, Florida, once synonymous with electrifying weather, is no longer the lightning capital of the United States. However, the Sunshine State still holds a grim title, leading the nation in lightning-related deaths in 2025.
The latest findings from Advanced Environment Monitoring (AEM) have revealed a surprising shift in the geographical distribution of lightning activity. Florida, which was long considered the epicenter of lightning in the U.S., now ranks second, overtaken by Oklahoma. This new leader in the lightning stakes recorded an impressive 73 flashes per square mile, a testament to the increasing frequency of lightning across the Great Plains.
Dr. Elizabeth DiGangi, a lightning scientist with AEM, elaborated on this development, noting, “Oklahoma’s ascent in our lightning rankings marks a notable change in 2025’s weather patterns compared to previous years.” She added that the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) allows for precise tracking of lightning, illuminating the evolving storm patterns that now highlight the Great Plains as a hotspot for intense weather events.
In 2025, AEM’s comprehensive monitoring network detected nearly 430 million lightning pulses within 88.4 million flashes across the United States. This represents a significant 9.8% increase from the previous year, indicating a broader trend of heightened lightning activity nationwide.
“Oklahoma’s rise to the top of our lightning rankings represents a significant shift in 2025’s weather patterns compared with past years,” Dr. Elizabeth DiGangi, a lightning scientist at AEM, said in a statement. “Because ENTLN captures lightning activity with exceptional coverage and precision, we can see how lightning patterns are evolving, with the Great Plains emerging as an increasingly active region for high-impact storms.”
AEM’s Earth Networks Total Lightning Network detected nearly 430 million lightning pulses within 88.4 million lightning flashes across the U.S. in 2025. That’s a 9.8% increase from the previous year.
Despite not being the lightning capital of the U.S. anymore, Florida did lead the number of lightning deaths in 2025, according to the National Lightning Safety Council.
Two deaths took place in September in Highlands County, with the other two taking place during June in Gulf County and New Smyrna Beach.
Why Florida was considered the lightning capital for so long
In Florida, lightning is a common and potentially deadly phenomenon. For comparison, the surface temperature of the sun is approximately 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a lightning bolt can reach up to 50,000 degrees.
Statistics show that the most dangerous outdoor activity during thunderstorms is fishing, accounting for 38% of lightning-related deaths among outdoor activities. Additionally, 80% of lightning strikes affect men compared to women.
Safety tips during a lightning storm
If you spot lightning or hear thunder, it’s essential to take immediate action:
Seek Shelter Indoors: The safest place to be during a lightning storm is inside a sturdy building.
Get Inside a Vehicle: If you can’t find a building, a car is a safe alternative. The metal frame of a vehicle can act as a Faraday cage, directing the electrical charge around the passengers and safely to the ground.
If you’re in a car when a thunderstorm rolls overhead, avoid contact with any conducting paths that lead to the outside of the vehicle. That includes metal surfaces, ignition and portable electronic devices plugged in for charging.
Avoid Trees: Never stand under a tree during a lightning storm. Trees can conduct lightning, and if struck, the charge can travel through the tree and potentially injure anyone standing nearby.
Stay Away from Water: Avoid bathing or swimming. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, and being in or near it during a storm increases the risk of being struck.
Avoid using electronic devices: Voltage can enter a home through phone lines, electrical wires and cables. Any devices that use electricity, like computers, televisions and refrigerators, are susceptible to lightning strikes. Surge protectors do little to protect devices or the person using them.
It’s also smart to avoid plumbing. Metal plumbing and water are very good conductors of electricity. It’s advised to not wash dishes, do laundry or take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm.
And let’s address two debated lightning topics. Lightning can strike the same place twice. Also, a lightning victim is not electrified. The human body does not store electricity. If you touch them, you won’t be electrocuted. Please immediately give a lightning victim first aid.
Lee Southwick contributed to this story.
