Summer is the deadliest season for lightning strikes because of the frequency of thunderstorms and the fact that more people are outdoors.

In the United States, an average of 58 people are killed each year by lightning, according to the National Weather Service. Hundreds suffer permanent injuries.

Understanding the dangers of lightning is important so that you can get to a safe place when thunderstorms threaten. If you hear thunder--even a distant rumble or a crackling aloft--you are already in danger of becoming a lightning victim, the NWS states on its lightning safety page.

According to the National Weather Service, each spark of lightning can reach over five miles in length, soar to temperatures of approximately 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit and contain 100 million electrical volts.

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