South Carolina Lightning Strike Map

Track real-time lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity across South Carolina. Review recent optical-flash detections, map timestamps, and official warning links before making weather decisions.

65
detected flashes in last 24 hours
Last 7 days
93,576 detected flashes
Last detection
13 hours ago
Updated
just now

Recent detections from NOAA GOES East/West GLM. South Carolina. Provider and display latency vary; satellite markers are approximate optical-flash locations, not exact ground impacts.

Lightning flash heatmap of South Carolina for the last 24 hours, rendered from NOAA GOES East/West GLM satellite data.
Server-rendered heatmap of South Carolina lightning activity in the last 24 hours. Each gold glow is a flash detected by NOAA GOES East/West GLM. Updates every 5 minutes.
Map loading…
Bolts show recent NOAA GOES East/West GLM detections. Locations are approximate; provider and display latency vary. Lime = newest, red = 1-6h, grey = older.
7
Cities Tracked
5.1M
Population

Data sourced from NOAA GOES East/West Geostationary Lightning Mappers (GLM) and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). For the broader live overview, open the lightning strike map for the last 24 hours.

About Lightning in South Carolina

Located at approximately 34°N latitude, South Carolina is a subtropical state where Atlantic sea breezes collide with inland heating, producing regular afternoon thunderstorms especially in the Midlands and Upstate regions. Thunderstorm frequency varies within state boundaries, so this page does not publish an unsupported statewide annual average or national rank.

In South Carolina, warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico combines with daytime heating to produce convective storms. Peak thunderstorm activity occurs during May through September, when conditions align for the most frequent lightning strikes. With a population of 5.1 million residents, storm awareness and lightning safety are important considerations for anyone living in or visiting South Carolina.

Live map scope
24h
recent activity window
Not a historical state ranking

When Thunderstorms Peak in South Carolina

Thunderstorm season in South Carolina runs from May 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
May through September

Top Cities in South Carolina

Monitor lightning activity in these South Carolina cities

Charleston

SC

Columbia

SC

North Charleston

SC

Mount Pleasant

SC

Greenville

SC

Rock Hill

SC

Spartanburg

SC

Lightning Safety in South Carolina

Know where to shelter and follow official warnings when storms approach South Carolina

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

Have a shelter plan before storms reach South Carolina. Avoid windows and stay away from plumbing while indoors.

Monitor Lightning Activity

Use Lightning Tracker for supplemental situational awareness near South Carolina. Follow official warnings and seek shelter immediately when thunder is audible.

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 South Carolina

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

Last 24 hours South Carolina strikes in the last 24 hours

Start with the 24-hour US overview, then use this South Carolina page for local strike counts and recent flashes.

 Radar Lightning radar near South Carolina

Compare live electrical detections with weather-radar context before opening the local South Carolina map.

 Near me How to check lightning near you in South Carolina

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

 Map guide How to read a lightning map for South Carolina

Understand clusters, timing, and storm movement before relying on live mobile app alerts.

 Alerts Set lightning alerts in South Carolina

Choose a saved monitoring radius and understand app notification limits versus official warnings.

South Carolina Lightning FAQ

Fast answers for live maps, storm days, and lightning safety in South Carolina

Where can I see current lightning activity in South Carolina?

This page shows recent NOAA GOES East/West GLM optical-flash detections across South Carolina. Use official weather agencies for forecasts and warnings.

What is the 30-30 rule for lightning safety?

The 30-30 rule states: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside.

How can I track lightning in South Carolina in real time?

Lightning Tracker uses NOAA GOES East/West GLM (Geostationary Lightning Mapper) satellite data to display recent lightning activity across South Carolina. The mobile app provides push notification alerts when storms approach your location.

Mobile app

Track Lightning in South Carolina Right Now

Download the mobile app for live alerts, then use the South Carolina hub, city pages, and lightning guides for local map and safety context.

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