Snow in the Great Lakes; Windy Conditions in the East

Lake effect snow will impact the Great Lakes region through the day. Gusty winds will pick up across the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic beginning this afternoon following a cold front. Elevated fire weather conditions will persist across the Desert Southwest today, with critical fire weather conditions developing Wednesday and Thursday in the Southern Plains. Read More >

Lightning Intro
Did you Know
Lightning Safety
Myths vs. Facts

Lightning, on average, causes 93 deaths and 300 injuries each year. In Texas alone, 34 people have been killed by lightning during the last nine County Area Map Showing Lightning Injuries and Deaths years. 184 injuries and nearly 23 million dollars (est.) in damages can also be attributed to Texas lightning since the beginning of 1995.

So if lightning causes so much death and destruction, why is it called the underrated killer?
Because often we fail to follow safety precautions, especially when we are caught outdoors, where most lightning deaths and injuries occur. Did you know that if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning?

Protect yourself and others from the underrated killer by reading more of our did-you-knows, myths versus facts, and lightning safety tips.

Texas Lightning Stats from Jan 1, 1999 through Mar 31, 2000

Texas Lightning Stats
Year	Killed	Injured	Damage
2004	3	58	.74M
2003	4	5	3.6M
2002	2	5	.97M
2001	1	6	1.4M
2000	5	19	.20M
1999	3	11	2.5M
1998	2	11	.88M
1997	3	34	6.4M
1996	6	7	4.4M
1995	5	28	1.7M

How To Estimate Lightning Distance
(miles from strike)

5 Second Rule Picture Count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder, then divide by 5.

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Snow in the Great Lakes; Windy Conditions in the East

NWS Ft. Worth