View the location of recent lightning strikes and the probability that lightning will strike in the next 60 minutes for any area in the US.
This overlay is incredibly useful for knowing:
- If you should end your outdoor activity early with lightning risk ramping up.
- If you should take shelter or get below treeline with lightning strikes nearby.
Getting Started
- Tap the "Maps" tab.
- Tap the overlay button.
- Tap "Lightning Risk".
- Scrub the bottom slider.
- Tap the map to view details.
The most recent lightning strikes have a yellow outline and fully fade when older than an hour.
The probability that lightning will strike in the next 60 minutes ranges from:
- Blue (10%)
- Green (25%)
- Yellow (50%)
- Orange (75%)
See the lightning risk on any device by upgrading to All-Access. The benefits also include webcam widgets for your iPhone home screen, forecasts anywhere on Earth, local "Daily Snow" analysis, custom snow alerts, and much more.
The official National Weather Service guideline is "when thunder roars, go indoors" so that you seek safety when you hear the first rumble of thunder or see the first lightning strike.
Additionally, many locations have guidelines that people should ALREADY BE in a safe place when the closest lightning strike is 6-8 miles (10-13 km) away, which means taking action BEFORE lightning comes closer than 6-8 miles.