How do I check lightning near me?

Open the map and tap Near me. Allow location access if you want distances from your device’s position. The nearby panel shows distance and direction to reported flashes. Check the selected time window, source and delivery delay before interpreting the result.

Can I use the map without sharing my location?

Yes. Open a city, state or country map from All places. A city map starts its nearby distances from the city centre, which may be far from your actual position. You can also move around the map without granting location access.

Does no nearby lightning mean it is safe outside?

No. Reports can be delayed, missed or outside a source’s coverage. If you hear thunder, go indoors and follow official weather warnings. Boltwatch’s observations are not an all-clear.

Lightning near me

Tap “Near me” on the map to see the distance and direction to reported lightning from your location. The nearby panel checks the last 30 minutes within 100 km (about 62 miles). Each map dot is a detected flash; its colour shows how long ago it happened.

Check nearby lightning in three steps

Tap “Near me” and allow your browser to use your location. An initial map view may be approximate until you choose your position.
Choose a map time window. A short window focuses on recent dots; the three-hour view shows older activity too. The nearby panel keeps its own 30-minute window within 100 km, so it can differ from the dots currently visible.
Read the nearby distance and direction, then check the source and delay. “Closer” or “Farther” describes recent flash distances and does not predict a storm’s arrival.

If location access is unavailable, open a city, state or country lightning map. City distances begin at the city centre. They describe your location only after you choose it.

Where nearby detections are available

NOAA GOES satellite observations cover much of the Americas and adjacent oceans. Meteosat covers Europe, Africa and surrounding waters. FMI supplies ground-network observations across the Nordics and Baltics. Coverage is limited near the edges of satellite views, and Boltwatch does not currently provide complete coverage of Asia or Oceania.

GOES reports usually arrive about a minute after detection. Meteosat reports cover ten minutes at a time, with delivery time on top. Sources can fall behind or become unavailable. Read the coverage and delivery-delay guide to understand what a quiet map can mean.

Map distance and thunder distance answer different questions

The map measures to a reported detection coordinate. A satellite dot can represent lightning inside a cloud rather than a ground strike. If you saw a flash and heard thunder later, the lightning distance calculator gives a rough estimate from that sound delay.

If you hear thunder, go indoors. An empty map does not mean it is safe outside. Check your local map and official warning links, and read National Weather Service lightning guidance.

Want notifications for a saved place? See how nearby lightning alerts work. Browser support and permissions vary, and notifications may arrive late or fail to reach your device.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check lightning near me?: Open the map and tap Near me. Allow location access if you want distances from your device’s position. The nearby panel shows distance and direction to reported flashes. Check the selected time window, source and delivery delay before interpreting the result.
Can I use the map without sharing my location?: Yes. Open a city, state or country map from All places. A city map starts its nearby distances from the city centre, which may be far from your actual position. You can also move around the map without granting location access.
Does no nearby lightning mean it is safe outside?: No. Reports can be delayed, missed or outside a source’s coverage. If you hear thunder, go indoors and follow official weather warnings. Boltwatch’s observations are not an all-clear.