Uploaded August 2022 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago

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Lightning is a major public safety threat. It can strike at any time, but it is most common in the summer months. Lightning kills about 20 people each year in the United States and hundreds more are injured.

Recent severe thunderstorm activity has highlighted the dangers associated with lightning strikes. In the span of less than a week in early August, lightning led to several injuries and fatalities.

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Credits:
NOAA
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
CIRA
Additional imagery courtesy of CIMSS

Music: “Aurora Dance” by Ervin Trofimov [SACEM]; Universal Production Music