Lightning in Alaska
Every lightning event the National Weather Service has filed in Alaska, year by year, with the most significant episodes. A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
The most significant on the map
The most significant lightning episodes in Alaska.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 8
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Damage
- $8,000
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, May 26, 2009Thunderstorms along the Chugach Mountains occurred the late afternoon and evening of May 26th. Two hikers were struck by lightning in Arctic Valley. One hiker was able to hike out the other required rescue from the Anchorage Fire Department.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, August 6, 1996A lightning bolt struck or nearly struck an operator of an amusement ride at the Tanana Valley State Fair.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, June 23, 2023On June 23rd, several thunderstorms moved through the Interior bringing small hail, frequent lighting and heavy downpours.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, June 24, 1997State Forestry personnel reported cloud to ground lightning in Cooper Landing Tuesday evening. This was the first time that any forestry officials can remember lightning in that area.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, January 8, 1997An unusual cold air outbreak and incoming front produced thunderstorms at Kodiak, which knocked out power and caused electrical surges which damaged some equipment for short periods of time.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, June 18, 2006Lightning is attributed to causing fire that destroyed a home under construction at 17 mile Chena Hot Springs Road. No one was present at the house during the fire. The home's value was estimated at $250,000, a damage loss that is indirect.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, April 16, 2015Early season convection resulted in a lighting strike that impacted tens of thousands of Alaskans, from the Southcentral region to the Interior.
- Lightning Strike in Alaska, June 24 to 25, 2015A thermal trough helped produce numerous thunderstorms during the afternoon of June 24th. Lightning from one of these thunderstorms struck a residence in Healy, Alaska.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.