Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Tropical rainstorm brings torrential downpours and dangerous flash flooding to Louisiana Chevron right
Flash flood risk to focus on parts of central US. Get the forecast Chevron right

Columbus, OH

76°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

76°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

Experts explain why summer is the peak for lightning fatalities

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Copied

A lightning strike can result in a cardiac arrest and death, and the most lightning strikes occur during warm summer months when people are outside enjoying the weather.

According to the NWS Storm Data, over the last 30 years (1988-2017), the United States has averaged 45 reported lightning fatalities per year. Only about 10 percent of people who are struck by lightning are killed, leaving 90 percent with various degrees of disability.

Kansas Daily LIfe

Lightning dwarfs city lights as a distant thunder storm passes by Dodge City, Kan. Friday, June 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Over the last 10 years (2007-2017), the U.S. has averaged 28 lightning fatalities annually.

"The month of July is the peak month for lightning fatalities in the U.S. Based on the past 10 years, the U.S. averages about 10 fatalities for the month, or about one fatality every three days," Lightning Safety Specialist for the National Weather Service (NWS), John Jensenius said.

Jensenius reported that July is also the peak month for lightning strikes across the U.S.

"This is likely a combination between the number of lightning strikes during the summer months, along with the amount of people outdoors during the summer puts more people in danger," AccuWeather Meterologist Evan Duffey said.

Fatal lightning incidents by month

"It is a month when many people are outside enjoying a variety of leisure activities," Jensenius said.

According to Jensenius, about 20 percent of lightning fatalities are related to activities around the home.

Lightning fatality statistics show that people take more chances when they’re closer to home, whether it’s walking to or from a car, doing yard work or simply waiting too long to head inside.

Also, if you're close to your home, that doesn't mean you're any less likely to avoid being struck. The sound of thunder should serve as an immediate reminder to head inside.

"Those outdoor activities put people at risk of being struck any time thunderstorms are in the area. People often wait far too long to get to a safe place when thunderstorms are approaching," Jensenius said.

According to Duffey, of those leisure activities, water-related leisure activities account for more than any other activity. It is especially important when out on the water or on the beach to seek shelter during thunderstorms.

https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed.js?28X

"If you can hear thunder, even what seems to be a distant rumble, you are at risk of being struck and need to get inside a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle immediately," Jensenius said.

RELATED:

7 lightning safety tips if you’re caught outside during a thunderstorm
How a single lightning strike can claim many lives
Why Florida ranks highest for lightning fatalities in the US
Lightning kills: Which outdoor activity ranks no. 1 for fatal strikes?

Jensenius recommends waiting 30 minutes after the last thunder before returning outside.

<hr>

For more safety and preparedness tips, visit AccuWeather.com/Ready.

AccuWeather ready logo
Report a Typo

Weather News

video

Renewed flash flooding sweeps through New Mexico

Jul. 18, 2025
Recreation

Felix Baumgartner, known for jump from stratosphere, dies in crash

Jul. 18, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Severe Weather

When water hits like a tornado: The violent force of flash flooding

1 day ago

Weather Forecasts

Flash flood risk to focus on parts of central US into next week

4 hours ago

Weather News

Lightning strike kills one, injures several young scouts in New Jersey

1 day ago

Weather Forecasts

When will the Northeast get relief from the heat and humidity?

4 hours ago

Weather News

Powerful earthquake rattles Alaska, prompted rare tsunami warning

13 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

Curious Colorado bear rescued from storm drain

10 hours ago

Weather News

Dinosaur fossil found underneath a Denver museum’s parking lot

1 day ago

Recreation

Yellowstone’s landscape shifts again with discovery of new hot pool

1 day ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

1 week ago

Weather News

Giant shoes found spark mystery around the soldiers of ancient Rome

4 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News Experts explain why summer is the peak for lightning fatalities
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...