<P> Though the Tampa Bay area is sometimes referred to as the "Lightning Capital of the World", it is more accurately called the "Lightning Capital of North America" if measured by average number of days with thunderstorm activity per year . During the summer, west - central Florida receives as much lightning as the world's true lightning leaders such as the Lake Victoria region of Africa and the central Amazon River Basin . However, there are few thunderstorms in the Tampa Bay area from approximately October to May, decreasing the yearly average . </P> <P> Every year, Florida averages 10 deaths and 30 injuries from lightning strikes, with several of these usually occurring in or around Tampa . University of Florida lightning expert Martin A. Uman has calculated that the average resident is within a half - mile of 10 to 15 lightning strikes every year . TECO Energy, Tampa's electric utility, spends over millions of dollars annually to repair transformers and other equipment damaged by lightning strikes . </P> <P> The dry season often begins in early November and can last into early May . The local weather during these months is normally sunny, mild, and quite dry, with a general cooling trend through the fall and a slow increase in temperatures starting in February . Highs during the coolest part of the winter average around 70 ° F (21 ° C), usually with sunny skies . The occasional passage of a cold front will bring rain followed by a few days of cooler temperatures . Lows rarely reach freezing 32 ° F (0 ° C), an occurrence which happens, on average, once every other year in areas away from the water and less frequently in areas on Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico . While deep freezes are very infrequent, serious cold snaps are a significant concern due to the diverse range of freeze - sensitive agriculture and aquaculture industries in the area as well as tropical landscaping such as coconut palms and royal palms . </P> <P> Frozen precipitation is very rare in the Tampa Bay area . The only known measurable snowfall in Tampa after 1900 occurred on January 19, 1977 . While the accumulation amounted to less than 0.5 inches (13 mm), the city is so unaccustomed to snow that public schools closed for the day and many businesses and roadways closed until it melted away that afternoon . Many residents of southern Pinellas County reported a light snowfall on December 23, 1989 . However, no snow fell at official weather stations, and the weather record indicates that light sleet fell on St. Petersburg that day . </P>

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