Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Thunderstorms and lightning occur year-round in Central Africa; due to its equatorial location, summer is permanent. The dry conditions, the resulting weather patterns, the flow of air from the Atlantic Ocean and the movement of air around the surrounding mountainous areas all contribute to this frequency of lightning strikes. Central Africa is also especially vulnerable due to its massive changes in landmass such as the altitude differences between the valleys and mountains in the deserts. NASA studied the uneven distribution of lightning on a map where this region figured to be hit by lightning over 50 flashes per square kilometer per year. This is the highest rate in the world.
Florida experiences an high rate of lightning strikes for a few reasons. NASA explains that the state is sandwiched between two sea breezes. One comes in off the west coast and one comes in from the east coast. These two breezes conflict with one another, pushing the air from the ground upward. This force triggers thunderstorms. Florida is hit by around 30 to 40 flashes per square kilometer per year.
The Himalayas are a mountain range in Asia extending from Afghanistan through Pakistan, China, Nepal, India and Burma to Bhutan. According to the extreme topography shifts of the range, which includes the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, lightning is frequent here as well. The air masses clash due to the high pressure off the Indian Ocean, and this area becomes vulnerable as a result.