At 11:23:10 p.m. on Friday, July 11, a powerful lightning bolt struck during a thunderstorm in southern Chihuahua City, causing a discharge that directly impacted the patio of a home.
Videos shared on social media show how a branch of the lightning entered the patio, striking various appliances and objects with a powerful discharge.
One of the most alarming moments occurred when the lightning passed just inches from an LP gas cylinder, failing to ignite it—thus preventing a major tragedy.
In another shot, the impact can be seen passing in front of several cats, leaving the felines completely paralyzed despite their reflexes—an image that has drawn attention on social media for its intensity.
The state capital was under thunderstorm conditions that night, marking the return of rain after several days of dry weather. According to weather forecasts, the rain will continue through the weekend, both in Chihuahua City and in other regions of the state.
This climate change is due to the decrease in anticyclonic circulation, which has allowed the entry of moisture from the Pacific Ocean, associated with the activity of the Mexican monsoon.
What is the probability of being struck by lightning?
According to UNAM researchers, the probability of a person being struck by lightning during their lifetime in Mexico is 1 in 15,300. Although it seems low, the risk increases depending on factors such as:
Outdoor activities: Being in open fields, near trees, or bodies of water during thunderstorms increases the risk.
Social conditions: Rural communities with poor infrastructure and limited access to meteorological information are more vulnerable.
Between 1998 and 2021, more than 2,500 deaths from lightning were recorded in Mexico, leading UNAM to create a risk map that combines natural and social factors.
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Source: excelsior
