Lightning map – live lightning strikes in real time
Live strike data from the Blitzortung community detection network.
Live in United Kingdom
🇬🇧 Lightning activity right now
Country lightning map
Lightning hotspots in United Kingdom
Switch between the most-struck major cities and a heatmap of the latest detected strikes.
Where is it striking right now?
The lightning map shows strikes the moment they're detected. Red and amber areas show where a thunderstorm is active right now and which way it's tracking. Allow location and tap «show near me» to see the closest strikes and how many have hit in the last 60 minutes around you.
A live lightning map in real time
The map — also known as a lightning tracker or lightning radar — updates automatically every second. The denser the strikes in one area, the more intense the storm cell. Watch the strike density and how the cell moves to see whether a thunderstorm is building or fading.
How does the lightning map work?
The strike data comes from a volunteer lightning detection network run by receiving stations operated by volunteers. The stations measure when the radio pulse from each strike arrives, and its position is fixed by triangulation from several stations. The more stations that detect the same strike, the more accurate the position. It's sometimes called a lightning tracker or lightning radar, but it's the same real-time lightning map.
Guess the next 30 seconds
Will more or fewer bolts strike in the next minute? Make your call and watch it play out in real time. It's a free game — no real money.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lightning map?+
A lightning map is a real-time map that shows detected lightning strikes as they happen, so you can see at a glance where a thunderstorm is and which way it's heading.
How accurate is it?+
Accuracy depends on how many stations detect the same strike. When several pick it up, the position is usually accurate to within a few kilometres.
Where does the lightning data come from?+
From a volunteer lightning detection network, where volunteer receiving stations locate strikes by triangulation.
How often does the map update?+
In real time: new strikes appear within seconds of being detected.
Can you predict where lightning will strike?+
The exact moment can't be predicted, but strike density and cell movement show whether a storm is approaching. You can also test your instinct in the game: guess whether more or fewer bolts strike in the next 30 seconds.