Lightning Map San Diego, CA
Real-time lightning tracking for San Diego, California. This city averages 5 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness important for San Diego residents and visitors.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near San Diego
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for San Diego
App links are added after release. For now, use this city page plus the nearby-lightning and alert guides to make faster weather and safety calls in San Diego.
App links go live at release. For now use the lightning maps and guides on this site.
Thunderstorm Season in San Diego
When to expect lightning activity in San Diego, CA
San Diego 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, San Diego sees 20 fewer days of thunderstorm activity. The California statewide average is 15 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for San Diego
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 5 thunderstorm days annually, residents of San Diego 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 San Diego. 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 San Diego
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 San Diego 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 San DiegoUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
Nearby Cities in California
Monitor lightning in other California cities