Now that Oklahoma Man has officially overtaken Florida Man as the nation’s most reliable supplier of per-capita odd news, it was only a matter of time before we went after something even more sacred to the Sunshine State’s brand.
Their lightning!
Earlier this week, USA Today reported that Oklahoma has officially supplanted Florida as the lightning capital of the world – a stunning meteorological upset that further confirms my theory that as long as it doesn’t involve an ocean, whatever Florida can do, Oklahoma can do cheaper, louder, and better.
Via USA Today:
The United States has a new lightning champion.
Oklahoma has dethroned Florida to become the nation's lightning capital, according to a new report released Jan. 5.
With approximately 73 lightning flashes per square mile last year, Oklahoma displaced the state that has traditionally dominated this ranking, "signaling a broader surge in lightning activity across the Great Plains," according to the report.
Yep, that’s right. The same year that Gary England left this mortal world for the atmospheric heavens, Oklahoma tops Florida in the national lightning rankings. That make sense, because as my youth pastor once said, thunder and lightning is God's way of blowing his nose while crying.
According to a lightning scientist, Oklahoma’s ranking isn’t some flash in a pan. As opposed to a quick little lightning strike, it looks like we have staying power.
"Oklahoma's rise to the top of our lightning rankings represents a significant shift in 2025's weather patterns compared with past years," said Elizabeth DiGangi, a lightning scientist at environmental consulting firm AEM, in a statement. Thanks to new technology, she said that "we can see how lightning patterns are evolving, with the Great Plains emerging as an increasingly active region for high-impact storms."
Yep. As if the January tornado warnings some of us woke up to this morning weren’t enough of a hint, Oklahoma severe weather is apparently getting even worse. Oh well. At least it means we’re finally No. 1 in something that feels authentically Oklahoma.
Anyway, congrats to Florida on losing yet another cultural export to the Sooner State. We’ll take good care of your lightning. If you want to send anything else our way — like a coastline or manatees — feel free.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
