Are there thunderstorms today in my area?

Open your state lightning map on Lightning Tracker for a live count of strikes detected in the last 24 hours. The page shows the most recent flashes from the GOES-19 GLM satellite plus a 7-day trailing total. Cross-check with the NOAA Storm Prediction Center day-1 outlook for the official forecast risk category in your region.

How do I know if a thunderstorm is severe?

The National Weather Service classifies a thunderstorm as severe when it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter, wind gusts of 58 mph or more, or a tornado. For the official severe-thunderstorm watch / warning status in your area, check forecast.weather.gov. Lightning Tracker shows real-time strike density which is a useful early indicator that a cell is intensifying.

What time do thunderstorms usually hit?

In most of the US, thunderstorm activity peaks late afternoon (3–8 PM local time) when daytime heating destabilises the atmosphere. The Gulf Coast and Florida sometimes see early-morning convection driven by sea-breeze convergence and tropical moisture. Mountain West storms peak mid-afternoon during monsoon season (July–September).

Thunderstorms Today — Live US Lightning Activity

Where to Check Thunderstorms Right Now

Three sources give you a complete picture of today's thunderstorm activity in the US:

Live lightning maps — show every flash detected in the last 24 hours. Best for "what is happening right now" and identifying active storm cells. Browse our all 50 state lightning maps.
NOAA Storm Prediction Center day-1 outlook — categorical severe risk (Marginal → High) for the next 24 hours. spc.noaa.gov.
Local NWS forecast office page — short-range narrative and watch / warning status.

Today's Most Storm-Prone US States

Climatologically, the most thunderstorm-active US states (and the right pages to check first when storms are firing somewhere in the country) are:

Florida — 82 thunderstorm days/year (highest in the US)
Louisiana — 73 days/year
Mississippi — 67 days/year
Alabama — 60 days/year
Oklahoma — 57 days/year
Arkansas — 56 days/year
South Carolina — 54 days/year
Georgia — 52 days/year
Texas — 50 days/year
Kansas — 48 days/year

These rankings reflect long-term averages — a single day can flip the leaderboard depending on the synoptic pattern. See the 10 most lightning-prone US states for the full data.

Today vs Climatology

The live counter on each state page tells you whether today is busier or quieter than usual:

"Last 24 hours" count vs avg storm days — if a state averages 50 storm days/year, that's roughly 1 storm day every 7 days. A high 24-hour strike count on a non-storm-day means you're catching an atypical event worth watching.
"Last 7 days" count — a rolling weekly tally. Compare to the seasonal climatology of the state to gauge whether the week has been more or less active than normal.

What "Thunderstorm" Actually Means

A thunderstorm is a storm with thunder and lightning. The NWS criteria for a "thunderstorm day" is any local 24-hour period during which thunder is audible at least once. Lightning Tracker's strike count is a more granular measurement: every detected flash, regardless of audibility. A short, isolated cell that produces 5 flashes counts as 5 on our counter and 1 on the NWS climatological measure.

How to Use Today's Map for Tomorrow's Plans

Lightning maps don't forecast — they record. To plan tomorrow's outdoor work, hike, or drive:

Check SPC day-1 / day-2 outlooks for the severe risk category.
Check the local NWS forecast for chance of thunderstorms.
Use today's lightning map as a sanity check on yesterday's forecast accuracy in your area.
Read the US thunderstorm season guide if you're planning weeks ahead.

Get Real-Time Alerts

For tactical safety during today's storms, push notifications beat a refreshed map. Lightning Tracker for iOS sends an alert the moment a flash is detected within your configured radius. Setup options + alternatives in the lightning alerts guide.