SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – This week marks Lightning Safety Awareness Week, an annual observance that highlights the importance of taking precautions during thunderstorms. Lightning can be deadly and ...

Understanding the Context

Thunderstorms are responsible for the development and formation of many severe weather phenomena, which can be potentially hazardous. Damage that results from thunderstorms is mainly inflicted by downburst winds, large hailstones, and flash flooding caused by heavy precipitation. Thunderstorm, a violent short-lived weather disturbance that is almost always associated with lightning, thunder, dense clouds, heavy rain or hail, and strong gusty winds. Learn more about thunderstorms, including their structure and the different types.

Key Insights

See lightning strikes in real time across the planet. Free access to maps of former thunderstorms. By Blitzortung.org and contributors. Blitzortung.org provides lightning and thunderstorm information in real-time on maps for USA, United Kingdom, Australia, new Zealand, Europa, Africa, Asia and other Countries. A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.

Final Thoughts

Up here in the mountains, this thunderstorm just got real. The thunder rumbles across the jagged landscape. Rain pelts down on the cabin porch in an even rhythm. Learn how thunderstorms form, what causes lightning and thunder, and how these violent phen... It is estimated that there are as many as 40,000 thunderstorm occurrences each day world-wide. This translates into an astounding 14.6 million occurrences annually!

Annual number of thunderstorm days in the U.S.