Switzerland recorded Europe’s second-highest lightning density this summer

Lightning detection specialist Meteorage has revealed that Switzerland had the second-highest lightning strike density in Europe during the 2026 meteorological summer.

Bern struck the most this summer

In total, Switzerland recorded over 22.158 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes between June 1 and August 31 (the meteorological summer). 

The most activity took place on August 28, when 1.886 bolts hit the country in a single day, reports Watson. 

Comparing Swiss cantons, Bern took the most hits this summer with 3.426 lightning strikes, followed by Graubünden (2.773), Ticino (2.552), Valais (2.276) and Vaud (2.188). 

While storms can often be quite spectacular to watch from the safety of an apartment, they can cause chaos across Switzerland’s cities, resulting in flight delays or cancellations, injuries from falling trees or debris and public transport disruptions.

How Switzerland compares to the rest of Europe

Across the whole of Europe, a total of 893.458 lightning strikes were recorded during the summer period. Italy recorded the most, followed by France and Spain, thanks to “summer instability, Mediterranean air masses and favourable topographical conditions,” wrote Meteorage.

However, when land density is taken into account rather than just sheer volume, Switzerland jumped to second place thanks to its smaller size. The alpine nation had 2,43 ground contact points per square kilometre. 

Italy remained on top (4,73), followed by the Netherlands (2,39) in third, then Belgium (2,20), France (2,09) and Germany (1,30). Portugal and southwestern Spain “recorded comparatively low electrical activity.” 

Lightning strikes mainly took place in the second half of June, coinciding with a major heatwave that gripped the continent, while August was also particularly active. In general across Europe, lightning storms were “significantly higher” compared to the summer of 2025.