Claim: Lightning strikes Earth about 100 times per second

The claim that lightning strikes Earth about 100 times per second is mostly true, supported by the National Weather Service. They estimate that 100 lightning flashes occur every second globally, totaling nearly 8 million per day. However, NASA Earthdata provides a lower estimate of 35 to 55 flashes per second based on satellite observations, suggesting that the claim may overstate the average rate. This discrepancy indicates that while the claim has substantial support, it may not represent a precise average across all conditions. The models diverge sharply — treat this as higher-uncertainty. Perplexity comes in highest (78%), while Gemini is lowest (50%). Perplexity expresses higher confidence than Gemini on this claim. While the National Weather Service supports the claim of 100 lightning strikes per second, NASA Earthdata presents a lower range of 35 to 55 flashes per second. This difference raises questions about the accuracy of the 100-per-second figure as a global average. The variation in estimates may be due to differences in measurement methods or regional lightning activity, which could affect the overall average. Therefore, while the claim is mostly true, it is important to consider the context and variability in lightning strike rates across different regions and times.