Lightning has killed as many Americans this year as in all of 2015, the National Weather Service reports. And it could be that cases are rising because people are taking more risks than usual, according to LiveScience.

"One of the biggest problems is that people don't like to be inconvenienced by thunderstorms," said John Jensenius, an NWS lightning safety specialist.

"They have plans, they want to go through with those plans, and they're willing to take the chance. And unfortunately, some people are killed or injured because they do take a chance."

The number of lightning fatalities in the U.S. stands at 27 so far this year — the same as all of last year. That's more than the average number of lightning-related deaths for the past 10 years through August 13, which is 25.

Lightning fatalities included people at family picnics, working in their yards, riding horses, on the beach or standing outside with friends.

Most have occurred on the East Coast and in the South, including six fatalities in Florida, four in Louisiana, three in New York and two each in Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina.