In honor of Lightning Safety Week, concluding this Saturday, we proudly present these Five Electrifying Lightning Images. As great as these images are, however, let’s keep in mind some shocking truths about this static-filled force of nature.

So, along with facts from the National Weather Service, here are our Top 5 Lightning Images. Let’s be careful out there …

5. LIGHTNING STRIKES OVER DAISY FIELD

Fact: Lightning can travel five to ten miles horizontally before it strikes the ground or any object that gets in its path.

Lightning Strikes Over Daisy Field Image ©Elenamiv

4. RAIN & THUNDERSTORMS

Fact: Lightning can heat up the air to 50,000°F, which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Rain & Thunderstorms Image ©Kuzma

3. ABSTRACT LIGHTNING IMAGE

Fact: Lightning can pack a whopping 1 million volts of electricity, which is more than any nuclear power plant.

Abstract Lightning Image ©Tund

2. LIGHTNING STRIKES OAK TREE

Fact: The NWS has a simple message to everyone regarding Lightning Safety: “When the thunder roars, stay indoors.” (It’s as simple as that, really.)

Lightning Strikes Oak Tree ©larslentz

1. SUMMER STORM WITH LIGHTNING

Fact: In an average year, there are 25 million lightning flashes in the United States.

Summer Storm with Lightning Image ©Leonid Tit

Which one’s your favorite? Or, choose your own, out of our 13,000 other lightning images.

Stay safe this summer!