Catatumbo Lightning
The Catatumbo Lightning is a natural light show where lightning flashes almost every night over the spot where the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo. It happens more often here than almost anywhere else on Earth.
People are amazed that the sky can light up for hours, night after night, like a silent fireworks display. It has become a proud natural symbol of the region.
Lightning Almost Every Night
For much of the year the storm appears on most nights and can flash thousands of times. That is why it is often called the everlasting storm.
Why It Happens Here
Warm winds from the lake meet cool mountain air, which builds tall storm clouds in the same spot again and again. This special mix creates the endless lightning.
A Natural Lighthouse
Long ago sailors used the glowing sky to help find their way at night. The lightning is so bright it can be seen from very far away.