Great Falls, MT Lightning Map
Real-time lightning tracking for Great Falls, Montana. This city averages 30 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness important for Great Falls residents and visitors.
Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Great Falls, MT.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near Great Falls
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for Great Falls
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 Great Falls.
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Thunderstorm Season in Great Falls
When to expect lightning activity in Great Falls, MT
Thunderstorms in Great Falls are concentrated in the summer months of June through August. July is typically the most active month for lightning. While the thunderstorm season is shorter than in southern states, storms can be intense with frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
Compared to the national average of approximately 25 thunderstorm days per year, Great Falls sees 5 more days of thunderstorm activity. The Montana statewide average is 30 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for Great Falls
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 30 thunderstorm days annually, residents of Great Falls 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 Great Falls. 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 Great Falls
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 Great Falls 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 Great FallsUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
Great Falls Lightning FAQ
Fast answers for live lightning, storm season, and safety in Great Falls
How many thunderstorm days does Great Falls, Montana get per year?
Great Falls averages 30 thunderstorm days per year. The national average is approximately 25 days, and the Montana statewide average is 30 days.
When is thunderstorm season in Great Falls?
Thunderstorms in Great Falls are concentrated in the summer months of June through August. July is typically the most active month for lightning. While the thunderstorm season is shorter than in southern states, storms can be intense with frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
What should I do if caught in a lightning storm in Great Falls?
Follow the 30-30 rule: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. With 30 thunderstorm days annually in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls
Jump to nearby city pages when storms are moving across the region