Lightning strikes near Orlando International Airport during downpour

An air traffic controller at Florida’s Orlando International Airport captured a lightning strike at the west complex of the airport on Wednesday, July 15.

According to local weather reports, heavy showers and thunderstorms moved through Orlando on Wednesday. The storms produced downpours and excessive lightning, the report said.

According to research at Florida State University, a bolt of lightning carries on average 30,000 amps, 100-million volts, and temperature potential of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Data shows the most frequent lightning strikes occur in the Tampa Bay area, and the chance of being struck by lightning in Florida is 1 in 3,000 over the course of a lifetime.