Record #00494Nature archive
A 2016 satellite study identified a grid over Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo at about 9.75° N, 71.65° W as the world's leading lightning hotspot, with around 233 flashes/km²/year in the original 1998–2013 TRMM LIS analysis. A 2026 recalibration increased the corresponding peak estimate to about 359.
Current Record
about233
Current record value
Moisture from Lake Maracaibo and airflow constrained by surrounding mountains favour recurring nighttime convection near the Catatumbo region, creating unusually frequent lightning.
Satellite flash counts depend on sensor detection efficiency. A 2026 Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society analysis revised the peak from about 233 to 359 flashes/km²/year under corrected detection efficiency, with grid location also sensitive to sampling choices.
Credible sources support core facts; the comparison scope or corroboration remains incomplete.
Basis: comparison of consistent primary data
Albrecht et al. (2016) ranked the Maracaibo 0.1° cell first at about 233 flashes/km²/year. A 2026 BAMS study revised the corresponding peak to 359 using updated sensor efficiency. This is a calibration difference, not evidence of two incompatible geographic locations; developing status remains.
Other satellites, detection-efficiency corrections and grid choices can change values and rankings. The 2016 leading result is not universal across all datasets in 2026.
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