San Francisco, CA Lightning Map
Real-time lightning tracking for San Francisco, California. This city averages 5 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness important for San Francisco residents and visitors.
Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. San Francisco, CA. — quiet period. San Francisco, CA averages 5 thunderstorm days per year.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near San Francisco
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for San Francisco
Download the iOS app for live alerts, then use this city page plus the nearby-lightning and alert guides to make faster weather and safety calls in San Francisco.
Save your area on iPhone.
Download on the App Store- New
- Free
- Saved area
- Storm context
- Fast iPhone access
Use the website for live maps. Use the iOS app to keep your area ready on your phone.
Thunderstorm Season in San Francisco
When to expect lightning activity in San Francisco, CA
Thunderstorm season in San Francisco 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, San Francisco sees 20 fewer days of thunderstorm activity. The California statewide average is 15 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for San Francisco
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 5 thunderstorm days annually, residents of San Francisco 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 San Francisco. 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 San Francisco
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 San Francisco 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 San FranciscoUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
San Francisco Lightning FAQ
Fast answers for live lightning, storm season, and safety in San Francisco
How many thunderstorm days does San Francisco, California get per year?
San Francisco averages 5 thunderstorm days per year. The national average is approximately 25 days, and the California statewide average is 15 days.
When is thunderstorm season in San Francisco?
Thunderstorm season in San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Follow the 30-30 rule: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. With 5 thunderstorm days annually in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco
Jump to nearby city pages when storms are moving across the region