"Unprecedented Detail: Mapping 36.8 Million Yearly Ground Strike Points of Lightning"

New maps based on six years of data from a national lightning detection network reveal that the United States averages 23.4 million flashes, 55.5 million strokes, and 36.8 million ground strike points from lightning each year. The Gulf Coast experiences the most lightning activity, particularly in Florida, while the Central and Southern U.S. also see frequent thunderstorms. The data, which is crucial for improving forecasts and damage prevention, can help meteorologists, emergency management teams, and engineers enhance safety measures and better understand how lightning affects different regions.