As of today, the United States is on pace to record the fewest lightning-related deaths ever in a single year. Why is that?

What You Need To Know

  • On average, 26 people die due to lightning each year

  • As of October 19, there have been 15 lightning-related fatalities

  • One key atmospheric ingredient has been missing this year

While we still have a few months left to go in 2020, the peak "lightning season" across the U.S. is from June through August. Now that the worst is behind us, researchers believe this year will make history: the fewest deaths due to lightning strikes.

As of publishing, there have been a total of 15 fatalities this year across eleven states.

In a typical year, 26 people are killed due to lightning according to the National Lightning Safety Council.

Not counting this year, the fewest deaths in a year is 16, set in 2017.

For a full list of lightning-related fatalities, see this table.

While many may be quick to say the COVID-19 pandemic has kept people inside, thus reducing the lightning deaths, that's not the case.

In fact, there has been a surge of people getting outside and spending more time outdoors. 

Typically, activities like fishing, camping, and hanging at the beach are what lead to lightning-related injuries and deaths. However, as more people find themselves away from the office, they have more time to spend doing outdoor activities.

So Why the Decrease?

The reason for less lightning strikes and deaths this year may actually be due to the weather itself.

Researchers say there has been far less instability in the atmosphere during the traditional peak lightning season. In order to produce strong thunderstorms that generate intense lightning events, you typically need three elements: moisture, lift, and instability. 

It's that last ingredient which has been lacking.

The National Lightning Detection Network (NLDC) says there were far less lightning events across the Central Plains this year.
Here is their comparison of this year versus a five year average.


Notice there are a lot less shades of red across much of the Central and Southern Plains.

In short, large areas of high pressure stalled out over the Plains this summer. This reduced instability and helped to cut down on significant lightning-producing severe weather events. 

Of course, it's still possible southern parts of our country end up with a few highly-charged thunderstorms, resulting in a sudden uptick in lightning-related deaths. We hope that's not the case.