For the last ten years, a ground-based lightning detection network has allowed forecasters and researchers to map the frequency of lightning in the United States. Until recently, such a picture wasn't possible globally.

But now, a complete view of worldwide lightning activity is available, courtesy of two new instruments onboard weather satellites. These special heat-detecting sensors can spot lightning flashes even during the day. Here's the global distribution of lightning, with colors corresponding to frequency. Oranges, reds and maroons represent the most lightning, while purples and grays represent the least.

Worldwide, lightning is most frequent over land, which heats faster than water and thus promotes more thunderstorms. Tropical Africa, as well as parts of South America and Indonesia, are most lightning-prone, while lightning is least frequent near the poles and over the open ocean. Not surprisingly, Florida is the lightning capital of the United States.