As the summer months approach, lightning activity will soon ramp up.
More than 70% of lightning-related deaths take place in June, July and August. Those months are also when people spend the most time outdoors. Nearly one-third of annual lightning deaths come in July alone, according to the National Weather Service data from 2006 to 2024.
Lightning is the second-leading cause of storm-related deaths in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. In recent years, however, the number of lightning-related deaths has declined steadily.
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Though fewer people are dying from lightning strikes, the danger to to people, planes and infrastructure may still be on the rise. Scientists say they expect the frequency of lightning strikes to grow as the climate changes.
