300 Million Volts of Lightning Strikes the St. Louis Gateway Arch

This would be the one time when you wouldn't want to be at the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Brand new video shows a lightning strike that lit up the iconic monument.

Get our free mobile app

This is why Dan Robinson is a must-follow on YouTube especially if you're interested in weather in St. Louis. Here's what he shared about the short video of lightning hitting the Arch:

Incredible lightning barrages moved through St. Louis after sunset on Friday night, June 30, 2023. The Gateway Arch was struck during the second storm to pass over the city.

The National Weather Service estimates that an average lightning bolt contains 300 million volts of energy. Even if that guess isn't accurate, you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of this strike.

There's a perception that the Gateway Arch is struck by lightning all the time, but that's not accurate. Dan's website Storm Highway estimates that the Gateway Arch will get hit by lightning just once or twice per year.

When you factor in the rarity of the Gateway Arch getting hit by lightning, the odds of capturing the moment on video is staggering. Another great catch by Dan Robinson of a crazy St. Louis, Missouri weather moment. A few years ago, he shared video of not one, but two strikes of the Arch.

Once again, make sure to follow Dan Robinson on YouTube as he frequently shares cool weather content like this.