Fort Smith, AR Lightning Map
Real-time lightning tracking for Fort Smith, Arkansas. This city averages 52 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness critical for Fort Smith residents and visitors.
Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Fort Smith, AR. — quiet period. Fort Smith, AR averages 52 thunderstorm days per year.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near Fort Smith
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for Fort Smith
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Thunderstorm Season in Fort Smith
When to expect lightning activity in Fort Smith, AR
Thunderstorm season in Fort Smith spans from April through September. Peak lightning activity occurs in June and July, when warm, moist air from the south collides with cooler air masses. Spring severe weather season from March through May can produce dangerous storms.
Compared to the national average of approximately 25 thunderstorm days per year, Fort Smith sees 27 more days of thunderstorm activity. The Arkansas statewide average is 56 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for Fort Smith
Essential guidelines to stay safe during thunderstorms
30-30 Rule
When you see lightning, count to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, get indoors. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside.
Seek Shelter
With 52 thunderstorm days annually, residents of Fort Smith should always have a shelter plan. Move inside a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle.
Stay Informed
Use Lightning Tracker to monitor real-time lightning near Fort Smith. Set alerts for your neighborhood to get advance warning of approaching storms.
Avoid Open Areas
Stay away from open fields, hilltops, isolated trees, and bodies of water during storms. If hiking, descend from ridges and peaks immediately.
Useful Guides for Fort Smith
These guides match the nearby-lightning and alert questions people ask most often
Use this guide to judge nearby strike danger fast, especially when storms are building near your neighborhood.
Alerts Best alert options for Fort Smith stormsSee how app alerts, NOAA weather radio, and local warnings work when storms move toward your city.
Map guide How to read live lightning around Fort SmithUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
Fort Smith Lightning FAQ
Fast answers for live lightning, storm season, and safety in Fort Smith
How many thunderstorm days does Fort Smith, Arkansas get per year?
Fort Smith averages 52 thunderstorm days per year. The national average is approximately 25 days, and the Arkansas statewide average is 56 days.
When is thunderstorm season in Fort Smith?
Thunderstorm season in Fort Smith spans from April through September. Peak lightning activity occurs in June and July, when warm, moist air from the south collides with cooler air masses. Spring severe weather season from March through May can produce dangerous storms.
What should I do if caught in a lightning storm in Fort Smith?
Follow the 30-30 rule: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. With 52 thunderstorm days annually in Fort Smith, always have a shelter plan. Move inside a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside.
Nearest Lightning Maps to Fort Smith
Jump to nearby city pages when storms are moving across the region