AEM 2024 Lightning Report Shows Shifting Lightning Landscape

news image
Special Stories
6 Feb 2025 2:00 AM

Would you believe there were 459 million lightning pulses in the U.S. during 2024? AEM released its 2024 U.S. Lightning Report, showcasing a changing lightning landscape for America.

Key Findings:

  • The 80 million lightning flashes across the U.S. was a 17.7% decrease from the previous year.

  • After an particularly active severe storm season, Midwestern states recorded lightning activity more like the Southeast, including Iowa and Illinois making their way into the top ten states with the highest lightning density.

  • Florida retained its top position with 76 flashes per square mile, followed by Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

  • St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, led with a flash density of 266 flashes per square mile, significantly surpassing other counties nationwide.

"The appearance of Illinois and Iowa among the states with the highest annual flash density represents one of the most interesting shifts in lightning activity we've seen in years," said Dr. Elizabeth DiGangi, a lightning scientist at AEM. "While the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions traditionally dominate our annual rankings, 2024's data indicates another way severe weather patterns are evolving in the U.S."

All Weather News
More
Rain Finally Makes a Return to the Northwest

Rain Finally Makes a Return to the Northwest

We're making a run at two straight weeks with

27 Jan 2026 11:35 PM
Cold Air Sticks Around the Central to Eastern U.S.

Cold Air Sticks Around the Central to Eastern U.S.

Temperatures have been record-breaking with h

27 Jan 2026 11:30 PM
Another Weekend Snow on the East Coast?

Another Weekend Snow on the East Coast?

Copy and paste has been used a lot by forecas

27 Jan 2026 10:05 PM
Nearly Half a Million Without Power From Winter Storm

Nearly Half a Million Without Power From Winter Storm

ABOVE - Up to one inch of ice accumulated acr

27 Jan 2026 9:30 PM
Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast

Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast

WOOF! The Northeast got rocked over the weeke

27 Jan 2026 10:10 AM
Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

While much of the country will be impacted by

25 Jan 2026 10:40 PM
Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

For much of this winter season, the Southwest

25 Jan 2026 11:45 AM