Modena: Lightning Strike Capitol Of Utah!

When I was a kid, I was deathly frightened of thunderstorms. Couldn't stand them. Even hid under the table. I know, I had a strange childhood. Now, I love thunderstorms. A week ago when they were forecasting possible “THUNDERSNOW!” I was excited. Ask my wife, every time a thunderstorm rolls through out neighborhood, I sit outside on the porch to watch.

Still, I have no burning desire to get hit by lightning. So, imagine my surprise when I read a report on The Hill that told me the place in Utah where I was most likely to get hit by lightning is right here in Iron County. Little lonely Modena, Utah out by the Nevada border has been named as the lightning capitol of the Beehive State. Who needs the railroad when you can lay claim as the most likely place in the state to get hit by lightning?

Still, before you head out there to shake your fist in the air, a little consideration as to what could happen is prudent.

Lightning occurs when electrical imbalances between clouds and the ground or within clouds themselves become too great. This leads to the sudden discharge of electricity in the form of a lightning bolt. These bolts can reach temperatures of up to 30,000 degrees Celsius (54,000 degrees Fahrenheit), hotter than the surface of the sun. The intense heat causes the surrounding air to rapidly expand and contract, producing the thunderous clap we hear after seeing a bolt.

Aside from their awe-inspiring appearance, lightning strikes can have devastating consequences. They are a leading cause of wildfires, particularly in dry, thunderstorm-prone regions. Additionally, lightning strikes are responsible for numerous injuries and fatalities each year. When a person is struck by lightning, the electrical current can cause severe burns, cardiac arrest, neurological damage, and other serious injuries.

Moreover, lightning poses a significant threat to infrastructure, often causing power outages, damaging buildings, and igniting fires. While modern technology has implemented lightning protection systems to mitigate some of these risks, lightning strikes still pose a substantial threat to various structures and facilities worldwide.

In recent years, scientists have made significant strides in understanding and predicting lightning strikes. Advances in meteorological technology, such as lightning detection networks and satellite imagery, have improved our ability to monitor and forecast thunderstorms, providing valuable insights to mitigate the impacts of lightning strikes. In fact, as mentioned in The Hill story, every year Vaisala Weather issues the annual Lightning Report, from which the bulk of the information was gathered for their article.

Despite the risks they pose, lightning strikes also play a crucial role in the Earth's atmospheric processes. They contribute to the nitrogen cycle by producing nitrogen oxides, which are essential for fertilizing soil and sustaining plant life. Furthermore, lightning's electrical discharge helps to balance the Earth's electrical charge, contributing to the overall stability of the atmosphere. So Modena, respect!

Doing the radio shows I have done over the years, I have often received calls from “Anthony in Modena.” I haven't heard from him in awhile. Maybe now I know why.

Want to see the Lightning Capitol of each state? Keep scrolling and behold.