Lightning Map — Washington

Track real-time lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity across Washington. With an average of 10 thunderstorm days per year, Washington is a state with relatively low thunderstorm activity.

10
Avg Storm Days/Year
4
Cities Tracked
7.6M
Population

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

About Lightning in Washington

Washington averages 10 thunderstorm days per year, placing it below the national average of 25 days. 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.

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.

#49
out of 50 states
10
storm days/year
15 fewer than the US average

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
8 storm days/yr

Spokane

WA
14 storm days/yr

Tacoma

WA
7 storm days/yr

Vancouver

WA
10 storm days/yr

Lightning Safety in Washington

Stay safe during the 10 thunderstorm days Washington 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 10 thunderstorm days annually in Washington, it's still worth being prepared when storms do occur. Avoid windows and stay away from plumbing.

Monitor Lightning Activity

Use Lightning Tracker to get real-time alerts when storms approach your area in Washington. 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 Washington

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

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 using launch alerts in the app.

 Alerts Best ways to get lightning alerts in Washington

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

Track Lightning in Washington Right Now

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