01
Filter cloud flashes
Use Ground mode when storms fill the map.
Open a live lightning map in real time for awareness.
See sensor-detected lightning activity and strike age on a mobile map while storms are changing nearby.
Recent strike context.
See it in action
Eight things the live map shows you.
02
See what struck
Type, polarity, strength, age, distance, and street context.
03
Open from alerts
Nearby strike notifications open back to the live map.
04
Cloud or ground
Separate intracloud flashes from ground-reaching strikes.
05
Live lightning map
Age colors and closest activity at a glance.
06
Radar with lightning
Compare rain movement with nearby strikes.
07
Saved-place alerts
Monitor the places you care about.
08
Storm strength view
See strike strength distribution, not just dots.
Recent detected strikes
See recent ground-reaching and intracloud strikes around your current area or a saved place.
Storm context
Use strike age and nearby activity to understand recent storm movement.
Nearby alerts
Get notified when detected lightning activity moves near places you care about.
Lightning maps: quick answers
Short answers about lightning maps in real time, detected activity, and recent context as conditions change.
What can I see on the Lightning Alerts live map?
See recent ground-reaching and intracloud strikes around your current area or a saved place. Strike age helps you understand how recently nearby activity was detected.
How can I inspect a nearby strike?
Open a strike for available details such as age, distance, direction, type, strength, polarity, and street context. Ground mode can filter cloud flashes when you want to focus on ground-reaching strikes.
Can the live map alert me when lightning is nearby?
Yes. Turn on alerts for your current area or a saved place. A notification opens Lightning Alerts so you can quickly return to the live map.
Why people check Lightning Alerts
Recent detected lightning context for fast-changing conditions.
Check while plans change
Use recent detected activity before outdoor routes, stops, fields, water, or exposed places.
Watch recent activity
Strike age helps show how current the detected activity is near your area.
Keep nearby places covered
Use current-area and saved-place alerts for locations that matter to you.