Olympia, Washington – Washington emergency officials are using the winter months to reinforce lightning safety awareness after 21 people across the United States were killed by lightning in 2025, the highest annual total since 2019.
According to the National Weather Service and the National Lightning Safety Council, most lightning fatalities last year occurred during outdoor activities such as hiking, construction, farming, and recreation near water. While Washington did not record a lightning-related death in 2025, officials stress that the state still faces meaningful risk once thunderstorm season returns.
Lightning danger in Washington typically increases from late spring through summer, especially east of the Cascades where thunderstorms are more frequent and can develop rapidly. Central and eastern Washington, including agricultural areas and outdoor recreation zones, see higher exposure, while western Washington can still experience dangerous lightning during isolated summer storms.
State and local officials say winter is the ideal time to strengthen safety habits ahead of 2026. If thunder is heard anywhere in Washington, residents should move indoors immediately to a substantial building or enclosed vehicle. Open fields, ridge lines, isolated trees, metal equipment, and bodies of water significantly increase the risk of being struck.
Emergency management leaders emphasize that early action saves lives. Lightning safety outreach is expected to increase statewide as warmer weather approaches, with the goal of keeping Washington residents prepared, informed, and safe throughout the next thunderstorm season.
