Los Angeles, CA Lightning Strike Map
Real-time lightning tracking for Los Angeles, California. This city averages 6 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness important for Los Angeles residents and visitors.
Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Los Angeles, CA.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near Los Angeles
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for Los Angeles
Download the mobile app for live alerts, then use this city page plus the nearby-lightning and alert guides to make faster weather and safety calls in Los Angeles.
Save your area on your phone.
- Free
- Saved area
- Storm context
- Fast phone access
Use the website for live maps. Use the app to keep your area ready on your phone.
Thunderstorm Season in Los Angeles
When to expect lightning activity in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles experiences thunderstorms primarily from April through September, with June and July being the most active months. Late afternoon and evening storms are common during the warm season as daytime heating triggers convective activity. Spring storms can be particularly severe.
Compared to the national average of approximately 25 thunderstorm days per year, Los Angeles sees 19 fewer days of thunderstorm activity. The California statewide average is 15 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for Los Angeles
Essential guidelines to stay safe during thunderstorms
30-30 Rule
When you see lightning, count to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, get indoors. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside.
Seek Shelter
With 6 thunderstorm days annually, residents of Los Angeles should always have a shelter plan. Move inside a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle.
Stay Informed
Use Lightning Tracker to monitor real-time lightning near Los Angeles. Set alerts for your neighborhood to get advance warning of approaching storms.
Avoid Open Areas
Stay away from open fields, hilltops, isolated trees, and bodies of water during storms. If hiking, descend from ridges and peaks immediately.
Useful Guides for Los Angeles
These guides match the nearby-lightning and alert questions people ask most often
Use this guide to judge nearby strike danger fast, especially when storms are building near your neighborhood.
Alerts Best alert options for Los Angeles stormsSee how app alerts, NOAA weather radio, and local warnings work when storms move toward your city.
Map guide How to read live lightning around Los AngelesUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
Los Angeles Lightning FAQ
Fast answers for live lightning, storm season, and safety in Los Angeles
How many thunderstorm days does Los Angeles, California get per year?
Los Angeles averages 6 thunderstorm days per year. The national average is approximately 25 days, and the California statewide average is 15 days.
When is thunderstorm season in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles experiences thunderstorms primarily from April through September, with June and July being the most active months. Late afternoon and evening storms are common during the warm season as daytime heating triggers convective activity. Spring storms can be particularly severe.
What should I do if caught in a lightning storm in Los Angeles?
Follow the 30-30 rule: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. With 6 thunderstorm days annually in Los Angeles, always have a shelter plan. Move inside a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside.
Nearest Lightning Maps to Los Angeles
Jump to nearby city pages when storms are moving across the region