Lightning Map — Florida

Track real-time lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity across Florida. With an average of 82 thunderstorm days per year, Florida is one of the most lightning-active states in the nation.

82
Avg Storm Days/Year
10
Cities Tracked
22.2M
Population

Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).

About Lightning in Florida

Florida averages 82 thunderstorm days per year, placing it well above the national average of 25 days. Located at approximately 30°N latitude, Florida is a peninsula surrounded by warm Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic waters, where sea-breeze convergence drives daily afternoon thunderstorms across the interior.

In Florida, warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico combines with daytime heating to produce convective storms. Peak thunderstorm activity occurs during June through September, when conditions align for the most frequent lightning strikes. With a population of 22.2 million residents, storm awareness and lightning safety are critical concerns for anyone living in or visiting Florida.

#1
out of 50 states
82
storm days/year
57 more than the US average

When Thunderstorms Peak in Florida

Thunderstorm season in Florida runs from June through September. Late spring can bring severe weather as cold fronts push through, while summer convective storms driven by daytime heating are a daily occurrence. The transition from spring to summer often marks the most dangerous period for lightning.

Peak Season
June through September

Top Cities in Florida

Monitor lightning activity in these Florida cities

Tampa

FL
87 storm days/yr

Orlando

FL
84 storm days/yr

Miami

FL
76 storm days/yr

Jacksonville

FL
68 storm days/yr

Fort Lauderdale

FL
75 storm days/yr

St. Petersburg

FL
82 storm days/yr

Tallahassee

FL
80 storm days/yr

Cape Coral

FL
85 storm days/yr

Port St. Lucie

FL
78 storm days/yr

Pensacola

FL
70 storm days/yr

Lightning Safety in Florida

Stay safe during the 82 thunderstorm days Florida averages each year

Follow the 30-30 Rule

If the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

Stay Indoors During Storms

With 82 thunderstorm days annually in Florida, having a plan for when storms strike is essential. Avoid windows and stay away from plumbing.

Monitor Lightning Activity

Use Lightning Tracker to get real-time alerts when storms approach your area in Florida. Early awareness helps you make safer decisions.

Outdoor Safety

If caught outside, avoid open fields, hilltops, and isolated trees. Seek shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle.

Useful Guides for Florida

These pages help visitors who search for maps, nearby strikes, and alert setup

Near me How to check lightning near you in Florida

Use this guide when you want to know how fast nearby strikes can become a real safety problem in Florida.

 Map guide How to read a lightning map for Florida

Understand clusters, timing, and storm movement before using launch alerts in the app.

 Alerts Best ways to get lightning alerts in Florida

Compare app alerts, NOAA weather radio, and local warning workflows for storms in your area.
App links later

Track Lightning in Florida Right Now

The app links can be added after release. For now, use the Florida hub, city pages, and lightning guides to cover map and safety intent.

Launching Soon iOS & Android

App links go live at release. For now use the lightning maps and guides on this site.