Vaisala compiled data from its global lightning detection network, the Global Lightning Dataset GLD360, to demonstrate the overall volume of lightning strokes as well as the countries with the highest lightning stroke density in the world.
From 2013 to 2017, Vaisala tracked 8,761,390,744 lightning strokes around the world. This unique dataset helps meteorologists develop timely and accurate forecasts and warnings at an unprecedented global scale.
"It is interesting to watch the fluctuation of lightning strokes between our annual maps in locations around the world," said Ron Holle, Vaisala meteorologist. "The data show the continually changing meteorological conditions that cause lightning to form in each area that does not repeat from year to year."
Among the locations with the most lightning strokes, in no particular order:
- United States
- Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia in South America
- Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa
- India, Sumatra and Malaysia in Asia
- Northern coast of Australia
"The U.S. has a perfect set-up to create thunderstorms," said Holle. "We have a large land mass with cool air to the north as well as warm, moist air moving up from the Gulf of Mexico. When those two contrasts meet, that is when storms develop."
Other countries that see the most lightning are often in tropical conditions. By contrast, Russia, its neighboring countries and most of Canada all have a much lower density of lightning.
