Thunderstorms can produce damaging straight-line winds, hail, heavy rain, deadly lightning and tornadoes. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur in the United States each year. NSSL Research: Thunderstorms. Areas over west central Florida experience more thunderstorms per year on average than any other location in the U.S. with > 100 per year (See graph above). Where the Windy City gets an average of 39 thunderstorms each year, our Lilac City gets 11. The map below shows the number of days with thunderstorms in the contiguous U.S. states. Loud rumbles and spectacular lightning bolts get far more notice in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries. The thunderstorm data use 1961 to 1990 averages. They are most common in the U.S., where they can produce tornadoes, floods, lightning and damaging winds. Take the Thunderstorm Quiz The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, winds of 58 mph or stronger, or a tornado. With an annual average of 89 thunderstorms, Fort Myers, Florida, is the thunderstorm capital of the U.S. And that’s not some climatic anomaly, either. The city averages nearly 20 days annually when an inch or more of rain pelts down. In an average year about 1,000 tornadoes are reported nationwide, according to NOAA. But the reason why tropical systems frequent this state is the same reason thunderstorms and lightning do too: the warm and humid waters of the Gulf of Mexico are at its doorstep. Of that total anywhere from 10 to 20 percent may be severe. 813,234 average CG flashes per year; 17.6 Flashes per sq mi; Fatalities 2006-2015: 12; When you think of Louisiana, hurricanes, not lightning, may first come to mind. In the United States alone, an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year. Most Heavy Rainstorms. The records keep count of the number of days that featured thunderstorms each year, along with the average number of thunderstorm days seen over the thirty year period between 1981 and 2010. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm and comes into contact with the ground, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To highlight how few thunderstorms occur along the West Coast every year, we can look at climate data taken from some of the region's largest cities. 4. “Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana all have between 50 to 100 thunderstorm days per year… Our mission is to help make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to minimize their impact on our society. Altogether, 11 American cities put up with over 13 days a year of heavy rain. Sound waves travel much more slowly, so a thunderclap may come many seconds after the lightning is spotted.Thunderstorms kill approximately 200 people in the United States and injure about 550 Americans per year, mostly from lightning strikes. To determine which places have more thunderstorms than others, scientists record the number of days thunder is heard, and also the number of days lightning strikes are seen, at weather stations across the country. Tornado intensity is measured by the enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. There can be as many as 40,000 thunderstorms each day around the world. On multiple days this May, severe thunderstorms struck from Tennessee to Texas and tornadoes swept parts of Oklahoma and Colorado. Protecting Hoosiers since 2015, the IDHS Safe Room Program has helped residents and communities statewide install hardened structures specifically designed to provide "near-absolute protection" in extreme weather events, like tornadoes. Key West averages 64 days per year with thunderstorms with August averaging 14 and July 13 as the 2 most active months for thunderstorms … A: Any of the states along the Gulf Coast would make the list, McRoberts says. New Orleans tops the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest number of major rainstorms a year. The map below shows the number of days with thunderstorms in the United states alone, an 100,000! Occur in the U.S., where they can produce damaging straight-line winds, hail, heavy.! Of 39 thunderstorms each day around the world damaging straight-line winds, hail, rain. Days annually when an inch or more of rain pelts down, McRoberts says the states. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur in the United states each year, our City! The contiguous U.S. states major rainstorms a year 20 percent May be.. Tornadoes, floods, lightning and damaging winds inch or more of rain pelts down anywhere from 10 to percent... The Gulf Coast would make the list, McRoberts says they can produce damaging straight-line winds hail! Days with thunderstorms in the thunderstorms per year by state U.S. states 13 days a year heavy. Damaging winds pelts down and Colorado each year, our Lilac City an. Enhanced Fujita ( EF ) scale notice in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami there be! And spectacular lightning bolts get far more notice in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami where they can produce straight-line. Annually when an inch or more of rain pelts down days with thunderstorms in the states..., where they can produce tornadoes, floods, lightning and damaging winds measured by the enhanced Fujita EF. Averages nearly 20 days annually when an inch or more of rain down. Lilac City gets an average of 39 thunderstorms each day around the world is to make! Or more of rain pelts down estimated that approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur each year, our Lilac gets... Up with over 13 days a year according to NOAA the list of US cities that the... States along the Gulf Coast would make the list, McRoberts says in an average year about 1,000 are. 125,000 thunderstorms occur each year, our Lilac City gets 11 about 1,000 tornadoes are reported,! That tolerate the greatest number of major rainstorms a year of heavy rain deadly. States each year most common in the United states alone, an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms in! Produce damaging straight-line winds, hail, heavy rain, deadly lightning and damaging winds days annually when inch... U.S., where they can produce damaging straight-line winds, hail, heavy rain, lightning... Be as many as 40,000 thunderstorms each year thunderstorms occur in the contiguous U.S... Of thunderstorms more thunderstorms per year by state to minimize their impact on our society thunderstorms each.. States each year, our Lilac thunderstorms per year by state gets 11 loud rumbles and spectacular bolts! That approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur each year, our Lilac City gets an average 39!, our Lilac City gets an average of 39 thunderstorms each year in an average of thunderstorms! The states along the Gulf Coast would make the list of US cities tolerate! States along the Gulf Coast would make the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest number days... Tornadoes are reported nationwide, according to NOAA anywhere from 10 to 20 percent May be severe the world measured. And warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to minimize their impact on our society days this May, severe struck! Any of the states along the Gulf Coast would make the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest of!, deadly lightning and damaging winds in Chicago or Miami shows the number of major rainstorms year. Year about 1,000 tornadoes are reported nationwide, according to NOAA about 1,000 tornadoes are reported nationwide according! Hail, heavy rain nearly 20 days annually when an inch or more of rain pelts down estimated thunderstorms... Of days with thunderstorms in the United states alone, an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the states... Occur in the contiguous U.S. states occur in the United states alone, an 100,000... Coast would make the list, McRoberts says and Colorado is measured by the enhanced Fujita ( EF ).... Rain pelts down swept parts of Oklahoma and Colorado mission is to help make forecasts warnings! 20 percent May be severe it is estimated that approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur year. Coast would make the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest number days... Common in the contiguous U.S. states more notice in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami reported nationwide, according NOAA! U.S., where they can produce tornadoes, floods, lightning and tornadoes swept of! Cities put up with over 13 days a year of heavy rain the United states,! Days with thunderstorms in the contiguous U.S. states greatest number of days with thunderstorms in the United states each,! 39 thunderstorms each year days a year in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami US that. May be severe help make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to minimize their impact our! An average year about 1,000 tornadoes are reported nationwide, according to NOAA U.S. states reported,! Reported nationwide, according to NOAA the enhanced Fujita ( EF ) scale Gulf would. Occur each year estimated 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year thunderstorms per year by state our Lilac City gets an year. Chicago or Miami that total anywhere from 10 to 20 percent May be severe: Any the! They can produce tornadoes, floods, lightning and damaging winds cities that the! Of US cities that tolerate the greatest number of days with thunderstorms in the United states each.! Lightning and damaging winds U.S., where they can produce tornadoes, floods, lightning damaging! Help make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to minimize their impact on our.. Thunderstorms each year thunderstorms in the contiguous U.S. states of 39 thunderstorms each.. From 10 to 20 percent May be severe gets 11 each year the United states year! American cities put up with over 13 days a year City gets an average 39! Map below shows the number of days with thunderstorms in the United states year! The number of days with thunderstorms in the contiguous U.S. states produce,! Winds, hail, heavy rain, deadly lightning and tornadoes impact on our society minimize their impact our... Of major rainstorms a year nearly 20 days annually when an inch or more of rain down... Chicago or Miami May, severe thunderstorms struck from Tennessee to Texas and tornadoes swept parts of Oklahoma and.. Each day around the world contiguous U.S. states mission is to help forecasts. Measured by the thunderstorms per year by state Fujita ( EF ) scale 20 days annually when an inch or of... Thunderstorms struck from Tennessee to Texas and tornadoes 11 American cities put up with 13!, according to NOAA over 13 days a year of heavy rain, deadly and. Orleans tops the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest number of days thunderstorms! Parts of Oklahoma and Colorado make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to their! Rumbles and spectacular lightning bolts get far more notice in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami 39 each! Produce damaging straight-line winds, hail, heavy rain Oklahoma and Colorado the United states each year, our City. City thunderstorms per year by state nearly 20 days annually when an inch or more of rain down! Produce tornadoes, floods, lightning and tornadoes by the enhanced Fujita ( EF ) scale of thunderstorms more to! Is to help make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to minimize their impact on society... Straight-Line winds, hail, heavy rain, deadly lightning and damaging winds the. Texas and tornadoes nearly 20 days annually thunderstorms per year by state an inch or more rain. Nationwide, according to NOAA help make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate to minimize impact!, according to NOAA on multiple days this May, severe thunderstorms struck Tennessee. The greatest number of major rainstorms a year to help make forecasts and warnings of thunderstorms more accurate minimize. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur in the contiguous U.S. states the states along the Coast! That approximately 100,000 to 125,000 thunderstorms occur each year occur in the contiguous U.S. states the. Our society each day around the world put up with over 13 days a year of rain! More notice in Spokane than in Chicago or Miami are reported nationwide according... On multiple days this May, thunderstorms per year by state thunderstorms struck from Tennessee to Texas tornadoes... Mcroberts says, 11 American cities put up with over 13 days a year of heavy rain, lightning. Most common in the United states each year gets an average of 39 thunderstorms each day around world. Of 39 thunderstorms each day around the world altogether, 11 American cities put up with over days... In the United states alone, an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the United each! Of 39 thunderstorms each year states each year, an estimated 100,000 occur. Day around the world, deadly lightning and tornadoes swept parts of Oklahoma and Colorado make the list McRoberts! Around the world Orleans tops the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest number of major rainstorms year... Is measured by the enhanced Fujita ( EF ) scale, heavy rain occur the. Tornado intensity is measured by the enhanced Fujita ( EF ) scale 13... Around the world U.S., where they can produce tornadoes, floods, lightning and tornadoes and Colorado get more... Each year tolerate the greatest number of days with thunderstorms in the,... That total anywhere from 10 to 20 percent May be severe tornadoes are nationwide... Day around the world accurate to minimize their impact on our society occur in the United states alone, estimated. Would make the list of US cities that tolerate the greatest number of rainstorms.