It is a myth that lightning never strikes twice in the same place. In fact, lightning will strike several times in the same place in the course of one discharge. While thunderstorms and lightning can be found throughout the United States, they are most likely to occur in the central and southern states. The state with the highest number of thunderstorm days is Florida. A thunderstorm is formed from a combination of moisture, rapidly rising warm air and a force capable of lifting air such as a warm and cold front, a sea breeze or a mountain.
All thunderstorms contain lightning.
Thunderstorms may occur singly, in clusters or in lines. Thus, it is possible for several thunderstorms to affect one location in the course of a few hours. Some of the most severe weather occurs when a single thunderstorm affects one location for an extended time. Lightning is an electrical discharge that results from the buildup of positive and negative charges within a thunderstorm. This flash of light usually occurs within the clouds or between the clouds and the ground.