LightningMaps shows thunderstorms as they happen. Open it and you see a map speckled with colored dots, each one a lightning strike detected moments ago. Zoom in on a storm front and the flashes keep arriving, tracing the shape of weather you can often only guess at from the sky.
The data comes from a network of volunteer-operated detectors, which is the quiet charm of the project: lots of people with antennas, combined into one live picture. The strikes are color-coded by how recent they are, so you can see where a storm has been and where it is heading.
It is dramatic, a little hypnotic and surprisingly educational. Leave it on a second monitor during a summer storm, or open it on a clear day just to see where in the world it is thundering right now. There is a short learning curve with the settings, but the default view is already compelling. Related: /site/windy and /site/usgs-earthquake-map, or browse everything in /category/data-viz.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Zoom in on a storm and let it run for a few minutes.
- Check the legend to learn what the colors mean.
- Open it during bad weather for a live comparison with your window.
Questions about LightningMaps.org
What is LightningMaps.org?
LightningMaps.org is a live map of lightning strikes detected by a network of volunteer-run sensors. Strikes appear on the map shortly after they occur and are colored by how recent they are. Plan on about 5 min. It works on phones. You can find it at lightningmaps.org, and we check the link daily.
How does LightningMaps know where lightning strikes?
The site displays data from a network of detectors that volunteers operate, which pick up the radio signals lightning produces. The map combines readings from many stations, so coverage is better in some regions than in others. Plan on about 5 min.
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