Lightning Map — New York

Track real-time lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity across New York. With an average of 30 thunderstorm days per year, New York is a state with notable seasonal storm activity.

30
Avg Storm Days/Year
6
Cities Tracked
20.2M
Population

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

About Lightning in New York

New York averages 30 thunderstorm days per year, placing it above the national average of 25 days. Located at approximately 43°N latitude, New York is stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Great Lakes, with diverse thunderstorm patterns ranging from coastal sea-breeze storms to lake-effect enhanced convection in western New York.

In New York, maritime air masses interact with continental weather patterns during warm months. Peak thunderstorm activity occurs during June through August, when conditions align for the most frequent lightning strikes. With a population of 20.2 million residents, storm awareness and lightning safety are important considerations for anyone living in or visiting New York.

#33
out of 50 states
30
storm days/year
5 more than the US average

When Thunderstorms Peak in New York

Thunderstorm season in New York runs from June through August. Storms are typically driven by frontal systems and can develop rapidly during warm, humid afternoons. While the season is more compressed than in southern states, individual storms can be intense with frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.

Peak Season
June through August

Top Cities in New York

Monitor lightning activity in these New York cities

New York City

NY
28 storm days/yr

Buffalo

NY
30 storm days/yr

Rochester

NY
29 storm days/yr

Yonkers

NY
28 storm days/yr

Syracuse

NY
30 storm days/yr

Albany

NY
28 storm days/yr

Lightning Safety in New York

Stay safe during the 30 thunderstorm days New York 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 30 thunderstorm days annually in New York, 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 New York. 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 New York

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

Near me How to check lightning near you in New York

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

 Map guide How to read a lightning map for New York

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

 Alerts Best ways to get lightning alerts in New York

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

Track Lightning in New York Right Now

The app links can be added after release. For now, use the New York 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.