New Orleans, LA Lightning Map
Real-time lightning tracking for New Orleans, Louisiana. This city averages 73 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness critical for New Orleans residents and visitors.
Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. New Orleans, LA. — quiet period. New Orleans, LA averages 73 thunderstorm days per year.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near New Orleans
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for New Orleans
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 New Orleans.
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Thunderstorm Season in New Orleans
When to expect lightning activity in New Orleans, LA
In New Orleans, thunderstorm season runs from May through October, with peak activity in June through September. The summer months bring daily afternoon thunderstorms fueled by humid tropical air and intense solar heating. July and August typically see the highest frequency of lightning strikes.
Compared to the national average of approximately 25 thunderstorm days per year, New Orleans sees 48 more days of thunderstorm activity. The Louisiana statewide average is 73 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for New Orleans
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 73 thunderstorm days annually, residents of New Orleans 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans
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 New Orleans 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 New OrleansUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
New Orleans Lightning FAQ
Fast answers for live lightning, storm season, and safety in New Orleans
How many thunderstorm days does New Orleans, Louisiana get per year?
New Orleans averages 73 thunderstorm days per year. The national average is approximately 25 days, and the Louisiana statewide average is 73 days.
When is thunderstorm season in New Orleans?
In New Orleans, thunderstorm season runs from May through October, with peak activity in June through September. The summer months bring daily afternoon thunderstorms fueled by humid tropical air and intense solar heating. July and August typically see the highest frequency of lightning strikes.
What should I do if caught in a lightning storm in New Orleans?
Follow the 30-30 rule: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. With 73 thunderstorm days annually in New Orleans, 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 New Orleans
Jump to nearby city pages when storms are moving across the region