Tampa Bay is known as the lightning capital of the nation.

In June, 1993, more than 21,000 cloud-to-ground lightning flashes occurred within a 50-mile radius of Tampa Bay. In June 1994, the number of flashes rose to an incredible 50,000.

Florida averages 10 deaths and 30 injuries a year from lightning. Since 1959, Florida has had more than 350 lightning-related deaths and more than 1,000 injuries.

The temperature of a single bolt can reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, about five times as hot as the sun's surface; lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the storm.

Lightning bolts strike behind some of St. Petersburg's tallest buildings as seen from The Pier during a fast moving storm that came through the area July 5, 1995.



http://www2.sptimes.com/weather/SW.1.html