RALEIGH--So far in 2015 the United States has had 22 lightning fatalities. Meteorologist with the National Weather Service Nick Petro says after a gap in North Carolina with no deaths caused by lightning the state saw two on the same day in April.

The two lightning fatalities in North Carolina happened on the same day with one in Cary and the other near Wilmington.

He says this year's numbers are higher than the past few years.

"The last time we had this many lightning fatalities up to the 20th of July was back in 2009. So I don't know what is different about this year, I don't think we've had any more thunderstorms than we've had in years past but for whatever reason it's creeping up," he says.

Petro says in the last five years the average number of lighting fatalities by July 20th was around 15.

The chances of being killed by lightning in the United States is roughly 1 in 5.5 million, according to the National Safety Council.