Lightning leaders – Top 10 countries and Top 10 states of US

Lightning leaders – Top 10 countries and Top 10 states of US

Lightning count or lightning density?

There are two primary ways to look at how much lightning occurred over a region – the lightning count and the lightning density. In the case of the United States, Texas always has higher lightning count than any other state, due in part to its size and location. To enable comparisons between regions, dividing the number of lightning events by the square area gives us lightning density.

Definition: stepped leader 

The stepped leader is the beginning of the cloudto-ground lightning flash. It moves in 50-meter (165 feet) intervals from the cloud to the ground at speeds of 90,000 meters per second (200,000 miles per hour)! The stepped leader branches downward and outward as it senses the electric charge near it as it approaches ground. Lightning occurs when the stepped leader connects with an upward leader.

Definition: upward leader 

As the stepped leader approaches ground, oppositely charged particles begin accumulating on trees, buildings, and other objects. The attraction of the particles on the ground to the stepped leader causes them to rise into the air as an upward leader. When the upward leader connects to the stepped leader, the lightning channel is complete, electricity flows from the cloud to the ground, and a bright flash of lightning occurs.

Top 10 states with the most total lightning by count and by density

Top 10 countries with the most total lightning by count and by density

Spotlight: Lake Maracaibo

On average, lightning occurs nearly 300 days per year over Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in South America. Lake Maracaibo is located in Venezuela, between the northernmost ridges of the Andes Mountains. Warm water temperatures, favorable winds, and its location in the tropics create prime conditions for thunderstorms to develop and make Lake Maracaibo the lightning capital of the world.