Start with the live lightning map
Lightning Alerts shows recent ground-reaching and intracloud strikes on a live map. Use the controls at the top to change how strikes are colored, filter the map, or add radar context.
What does AGE mean?
AGE colors map markers by how recently each strike was detected. Red markers are newest, orange markers follow, and pale yellow markers are older. The scale on the left runs from 0 minutes at the bottom toward 30+ minutes at the top.
Large numbered circles group nearby strikes at the current zoom. Zoom in to separate the group and inspect individual strikes.
What does POWER mean?
Tap the lightning-bolt control to switch from AGE to POWER. POWER colors strikes by estimated strength. Lighter blue represents lower values and darker blue represents higher values.
Strength is normally shown as peak current in kiloamps, shortened to kA. The Max value shows the strongest visible strike, and the chart button shows how visible strike strengths are distributed. The screenshot shows that chart while AGE is selected; tap the bolt above the map to see POWER-colored markers.
How do I filter ground and cloud lightning?
Open the strike-type filter and choose All, Ground, or Cloud. Ground hides intracloud flashes so ground-reaching strikes are easier to inspect. Cloud shows intracloud activity, and All restores both types.
What can I see when I open a strike?
Tap an individual marker to open its available details. Depending on the detected event, the app can show age, distance, direction, type, strength, polarity, and nearby street context.
These details help you move from a map full of markers to one specific detected strike.
How do lightning alerts work?
Turn on Alerts inside Lightning Alerts to receive notifications for your current area or one saved place. Tapping a notification returns you to the live map so you can inspect nearby activity.
Your phone also has a separate system notification permission. That permission may remain allowed when you turn Alerts off inside the app. The in-app switch controls whether Lightning Alerts should send lightning alerts.
Do I need Pro to use Lightning Alerts?
No. The free version includes the core lightning map, strike details, radar, and alert features. It is supported by ads, and continuing live updates may ask you to watch a short ad after the included refreshes are used.
Pro is an optional monthly subscription. It removes ads and lets live map updates continue without watching an ad.
Free
Core map, strike details, radar, and alerts with ad-supported live updates.
Pro
The same focused lightning experience without ads or ad-based update interruptions.
Common questions
Why does my phone still show notifications as allowed after I turn Alerts off?
The phone permission and the Lightning Alerts switch are separate. The phone permission means the app may show notifications when its own Alerts switch is on.
Can I monitor a place away from my current location?
Yes. Add one saved place for a home, destination, field, beach, or another location that matters to you.
Where can I ask about something that is still unclear?
Email lightning.alerts.live@gmail.com. Tell us what you were trying to do and which screen was confusing so we can help and improve the guide.
What does detected lightning mean?
Detected lightning means a lightning data provider recorded a lightning signal and made it available to the app. It does not mean every strike is detected, shown instantly, or available in every location.
Data source
Data limits
Detected strike data can be delayed or incomplete. Lightning Alerts shows detected strikes rather than forecasting future strikes. Alert delivery also depends on device settings, network availability, provider data, and app delivery systems.
Supported platforms
Lightning Alerts is available for iOS on the App Store and Android on Google Play. Screens can look slightly different between platforms and app versions.
Comparison guides
If you are comparing lightning tracker apps, see the source-linked My Lightning Tracker alternative guide at https://lightningalerts.live/my-lightning-tracker-alternative.
Publisher and support contact
Publisher: Lightning Alerts Oy. Support: lightning.alerts.live@gmail.com.