Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, mostly during the summer. It claims the lives of about 20 people annually, according to the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

With Hurricane Erin lurking, her impact is beginning to be felt in Massachusetts even if the storm isn't expected to get close.

Hurricane Erin is tracking closer to the East Coast, and meteorologists still maintain that parts of Massachusetts will feel the effects of the storm. The National Weather Service branch in Norton, MA is predicting that the storm will pass "well southeast of Nantucket on Friday," with the coastline of southeastern New England feeling the impact.

On his drive Thursday evening to the Planet Fitness in Dedham, Ryan Hynes was captivated by the scene unfolding outside. Darkness engulfed one direction, while the other shone startlingly bright. Gloomy and layered clouds moved fast across the sky. It seemed like it was about to downpour.

Dare County officials have issued a mandatory evacuation of Zone A of Hatteras Island due to the potential for life-threatening impacts from Hurricane Erin, with coastal flooding and ocean overwash expected to begin on August 19th and continue through August 21st.

Sunday will be hot and humid across Massachusetts, with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday will see a big difference.

Thunderstorms swept across parts of southeastern Massachusetts on Thursday evening, prompting a short-lived severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service. The warning, which included central Norfolk, northwestern Bristol, and northern Plymouth counties, was issued at 7:16 p.m. and expired at 8 p.m.

While the rain affecting western Massachusetts on Wednesday is not linked to Hurricane Erin, the region is no stranger to the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms during this time of year.