Washington Lightning Strike Map

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

3,788
detected flashes in last 24 hours
Last 7 days
13,406 detected flashes
Last detection
1 hour ago
Updated
just now

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

Lightning flash heatmap of Washington for the last 24 hours, rendered from NOAA GOES East/West GLM satellite data.
Server-rendered heatmap of Washington 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.
4
Cities Tracked
7.6M
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 Washington

Located at approximately 47°N latitude, Washington is divided by the Cascade Range into a wet maritime west side and a dry continental east side, where eastern Washington sees most of the state's limited thunderstorm activity during summer. Thunderstorm frequency varies within state boundaries, so this page does not publish an unsupported statewide annual average or national rank.

In Washington, maritime influences generally suppress thunderstorm formation, with activity concentrated over mountain terrain or during rare atmospheric setups. Peak thunderstorm activity occurs during July through August, when conditions align for the most frequent lightning strikes. With a population of 7.6 million residents, storm awareness and lightning safety are important considerations for anyone living in or visiting Washington.

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

When Thunderstorms Peak in Washington

Thunderstorm season in Washington runs from July through August. While the thunderstorm season is shorter than in southern states, storms can be intense with frequent cloud-to-ground lightning. The brief but active summer season often coincides with the longest days and warmest temperatures of the year.

Peak Season
July through August

Top Cities in Washington

Monitor lightning activity in these Washington cities

Seattle

WA

Spokane

WA

Tacoma

WA

Vancouver

WA

Lightning Safety in Washington

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

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

Monitor Lightning Activity

Use Lightning Tracker for supplemental situational awareness near Washington. 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 Washington

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

Last 24 hours Washington strikes in the last 24 hours

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

 Radar Lightning radar near Washington

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

 Near me How to check lightning near you in Washington

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

 Map guide How to read a lightning map for Washington

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

 Alerts Set lightning alerts in Washington

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

Washington Lightning FAQ

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

Where can I see current lightning activity in Washington?

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

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

Mobile app

Track Lightning in Washington Right Now

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

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