16 World-Famous Lightning Landmarks: A Must-Visit Pilgrimage

2. Teresópolis, Brazil

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One of the top lightning hotspots in the world, Teresópolis is a gorgeous city tucked away in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. For storm chasers and atmospheric scientists, this Brazilian treasure sees an amazing annual count of lightning strikes. Particularly in the summer from December to March, the city's special geographical location—surrounded by the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range—allows perfect circumstances for the development of strong electrical storms. Teresópolis boasts not just regular but also rather strong lightning activity. The city and its environs get more than 100 lightning strikes per square kilometre annually on average, a number far higher than many other places across the world with high lightning frequency. This great concentration of electrical activity is ascribed to the collision of warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean with the colder air masses over the mountains, therefore providing the ideal conditions for thunderstorm generation. The visual spectacular these storms produce makes Teresópolis more intriguing. Photographers from all around the world have caught amazing pictures created by the lightning illuminating the spectacular alpine terrain. Serra dos Órgãos's jagged peaks against the spectacular bolts of lightning create an amazing show of nature's raw might and beauty. Seeing huge storms from safe vantage points in the city or adjacent national park excites and humbles visitors.