Lightning Strikes by ZIP Code
Enter a 5-digit US ZIP above. Checker geocodes area and measures every returned recent flash from that point. ZIP result is an area reference, not exact home-level detection.
Closest strike
Closest Lightning Strike to Me
Check recent lightning near your point. Use current location or a US ZIP code to estimate distance to the closest returned flash and review detected activity within 100 miles. Satellite locations are approximate and not ground-impact points.
What this page answers
- Closest lightning strike to me
- Nearest lightning strike right now
- How close is lightning to me
- Recent lightning activity by ZIP code
Distance answers
ZIP Code, 10-Mile Range, and Lightning Radius
Lightning Within 10 Miles
A returned flash inside 10 miles adds nearby-activity context, but 10 miles is not a safety boundary. Audible thunder is the direct shelter signal: go indoors without waiting for map refresh.
Lightning Radius
Web checker uses 100-mile search radius to find context. For ongoing local monitoring, set a saved alert radius in app.
Field notes
Closest Lightning FAQ
How do I find the closest lightning strike to me?
Use the closest-strike checker with your current location or a US zip code. It reads recent NOAA GOES East/West GLM detections and reports nearest recent flash distance, age, and last-24-hour activity within 100 miles.
Can I check lightning strikes by ZIP code?
Yes. Enter a 5-digit US ZIP code. The checker geocodes that ZIP area, then requests recent flashes within 100 miles and calculates distance to the closest returned detection.
What does lightning within 10 miles mean?
A returned detection within 10 miles is nearby-activity context, not a safe/unsafe boundary. Audible thunder is the direct shelter signal: move into a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
What is a lightning radius?
Lightning radius is the distance around a selected point used to query or monitor detections. This web checker searches within 100 miles; a smaller app alert radius can focus notifications closer to a saved place.
Closest Strike Checker
Distances come from recent NOAA GOES East/West GLM detections within 100 miles (160 km) of the point you pick. Results are approximate distances to reported optical-flash centroids.
Recent detections from NOAA GOES East/West GLM. Locations and distances are approximate, provider/display latency varies, and an empty result is not an all-clear. Follow official warnings; if thunder is audible, shelter.
Recent local check
No location? Search a city or state instead
Open a local page for last-24-hour strike counts, recent flashes, and a focused map.
GET ALERTS FOR THIS AREA Keep this area ready.
The web check answers now. The app can monitor this radius after you close the page.
Save this area on your phone.
Use the Right Lightning Page
Different searches need different answers. These routes match the strongest real query clusters.
Last 24 hours Lightning strike map last 24 hours
See the recent-strike overview, then drill into your state or city.
Live map Lightning map near meStart here for state, city, and current-location checks.
Radar Lightning radar near meSee live electrical activity and how it differs from weather radar.
Distance How far away is lightning?Use the flash-to-bang method when you can hear thunder but have no map.
Guide Closest strike explainedHow closest-strike distance works and what the data can and cannot show.
Monitor a saved lightning radius on your phone.
Free 50 state maps Live alerts