Virginia Lightning Strike Map

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

4,814
detected flashes in last 24 hours
Last 7 days
223,773 detected flashes
Last detection
56 min ago
Updated
just now

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

Lightning flash heatmap of Virginia for the last 24 hours, rendered from NOAA GOES East/West GLM satellite data.
Server-rendered heatmap of Virginia 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
8.6M
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 Virginia

Located at approximately 38°N latitude, Virginia is spanning from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, where orographic lifting in the west and Atlantic moisture along the coast drive seasonal thunderstorms. Thunderstorm frequency varies within state boundaries, so this page does not publish an unsupported statewide annual average or national rank.

In Virginia, 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 8.6 million residents, storm awareness and lightning safety are important considerations for anyone living in or visiting Virginia.

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

When Thunderstorms Peak in Virginia

Thunderstorm season in Virginia runs from May through September. Spring severe weather season can produce dangerous storms when warm moist air collides with cooler air masses. Summer storms are driven by afternoon convective heating, typically building in the mid to late afternoon hours.

Peak Season
May through September

Top Cities in Virginia

Monitor lightning activity in these Virginia cities

Virginia Beach

VA

Norfolk

VA

Chesapeake

VA

Richmond

VA

Alexandria

VA

Hampton

VA

Roanoke

VA

Lightning Safety in Virginia

Know where to shelter and follow official warnings when storms approach Virginia

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 Virginia. Avoid windows and stay away from plumbing while indoors.

Monitor Lightning Activity

Use Lightning Tracker for supplemental situational awareness near Virginia. 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 Virginia

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

Last 24 hours Virginia strikes in the last 24 hours

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

 Radar Lightning radar near Virginia

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

 Near me How to check lightning near you in Virginia

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

 Map guide How to read a lightning map for Virginia

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

 Alerts Set lightning alerts in Virginia

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

Virginia Lightning FAQ

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

Where can I see current lightning activity in Virginia?

This page shows recent NOAA GOES East/West GLM optical-flash detections across Virginia. 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 Virginia in real time?

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

Mobile app

Track Lightning in Virginia Right Now

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

App Store Google Play

Free 50 state maps Live alerts