Germany Records Over 1.5 Million Lightning Strikes in 2024, Highest Since 2018

Bavaria leads with the most strikes, while the strongest lightning and largest hail were recorded in other regions.

The year 2024 saw over 1.5 million lightning strikes across Germany, marking the highest count since 2018.
Bavaria experienced the most lightning activity with 357,000 strikes, followed by Niedersachsen with 223,000 and Baden-Württemberg with 163,000.
The strongest lightning strike, measuring 452 kA, was recorded on September 19 in Hessen, with another close at 449 kA on the same day.
June was the most lightning-active month, with 460,000 strikes, and June 27 was the single most active day with 115,000 strikes nationwide.
The largest hailstones, reaching 7 cm in diameter, were reported in Baden-Württemberg, while heavy rainfall of 170 liters per square meter occurred in Kassel in August.