Download the Full 2021 Lightning Report Below

Below is the 2/16/22 recording of our 2021 U.S. Lightning Report Live Webinar with Lightning Scientist, Dr. Jeff Lapierre and Postdoctoral Researcher, Dr. Liz DiGangi.

Lightning tells us more about severe weather than you might imagine. In 2021, Earth Networks detected 446,726,668 total lightning pulses in the continental United States.

Did you know that lightning is a key indicator of severe weather and present in most storms? The recently upgraded Earth Networks Total Lightning Network monitors the skies 24/7, 365 days a year for both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes (aka "total lightning"). When our global network of lightning sensors detect lightning, it automatically issues severe weather alerts to impacted areas - up to 50% faster than other sources. This technology saves lives every day and reviewing the historical data helps us plan for the next severe weather event.

To help you plan ahead for severe weather, we've compiled the U.S. lightning data (January 1 to December 31, 2021) into a 22-page report, which you can flip through above.

What's included in the 2021 U.S. Lightning Report?

An overview of total lightning activity in the U.S. during 2021
Total lightning data for every continental U.S. state and the Top 100 counties struck by lightning
Lightning density maps for the continental U.S. and key geographical regions
An overview of how lightning played a role in 2021's severe weather events across the country

⚡ Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN)

The world's most technologically-advanced total lightning detection network with 1,800+ lightning detection sensors deployed worldwide.

The detection of total lightning (the combination of both in-cloud lightning and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes) is a powerful tool for advanced early warning of severe weather. In some cases, our total lightning network detects and alerts on severe weather 50% faster than other methods. This technology is saving lives worldwide by detecting the lightning strikes you can't see. Learn more about the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network and how it is helping to keep you safe.

Learn More

🌩️ Lightning Facts: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

How much do you really know about lightning? Can you separate fact from fiction? Brush up on your lightning facts and test your knowledge with this complete guide.

There are a lot of myths out there circulating about lightning and, despite the very real danger, most people think it won't impact them. This is the kind of logic that keeps beachgoers at risk and out in the open when storm clouds roll in and thunder claps in the distance. This is the kind of logic that results in serious injury and even death. Learn everything there is to know about lightning. It just might save your life one day.

Read Now

Total lightning is the combination of in-cloud lightning and cloud-to-ground lightning.

A total lightning detection network is comprised of multiple lightning sensors capable of detecting both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground activity and relaying this information to a cloud-based network for analysis.

Is the lightning data available for free?

Earth Networks publishes an annual U.S. Lightning Report with freely accessible data from our Total Lightning Network. For ongoing access or access to historical lightning data, please contact us to inquire about our paid subscription services.

Lightning data for the U.S. Lightning Report comes from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN), a global network of 1,800+ lightning sensors that detect total lightning activity and transmit digital signals to our monitoring and alerting solutions.

In addition to severe thunderstorms (and thunderstorms in general), lightning is often detected in other types of severe weather events such as hail storms, tornadoes, and high wind storms. By detecting and tracking in-cloud lightning activity, we can issue severe weather alerts faster than by relying solely on other types of weather observations.

2021 U.S. Lightning Report

Download the Full 2021 Lightning Report Below

DOWNLOAD THIS REPORT

RELATED RESOURCES

⚡ Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN)

The world's most technologically-advanced total lightning detection network with 1,800+ lightning detection sensors deployed worldwide.

🌩️ Lightning Facts: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

How much do you really know about lightning? Can you separate fact from fiction? Brush up on your lightning facts and test your knowledge with this complete guide.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is total lightning?

Is the lightning data available for free?

What is the source of the lightning data?

What does lightning tell us about severe weather?

For Media Inquiries:

Severe Weather Safety Specialists

Earth Networks has been taking the pulse of the planet for more than 25 years. We work with businesses and government agencies worldwide to provide advanced lightning detection and severe weather alerting to keep people and assets safe before, during, and after severe weather events.