Virginia Lightning Map

Track real-time lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity across Virginia. With an average of 37 thunderstorm days per year, Virginia is a moderately active state for thunderstorms.

6,281
strikes in last 24 hours
Last 7 days
6,281 strikes
Last strike
1 hour ago
Updated
just now

Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Virginia.

Lightning strike heatmap of Virginia for the last 24 hours, rendered from NOAA GOES-19 GLM satellite data.
Server-rendered heatmap of Virginia lightning activity in the last 24 hours. Each gold glow is a flash detected by NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Updates every 5 minutes.
Map loading…
Each marker is a recent lightning flash detected by NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Darker markers are older. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.
37
Avg Storm Days/Year
7
Cities Tracked
8.6M
Population

Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).

About Lightning in Virginia

Virginia averages 37 thunderstorm days per year, placing it above the national average of 25 days. Located at approximately 38°N latitude, Virginia is spanning from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, where orographic lifting in the west and Atlantic moisture along the coast drive seasonal thunderstorms.

In Virginia, warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico combines with daytime heating to produce convective storms. Peak thunderstorm activity occurs during May through September, when conditions align for the most frequent lightning strikes. With a population of 8.6 million residents, storm awareness and lightning safety are important considerations for anyone living in or visiting Virginia.

#23
out of 50 states
37
storm days/year
12 more than the US average

When Thunderstorms Peak in Virginia

Thunderstorm season in Virginia runs from May through September. Spring severe weather season can produce dangerous storms when warm moist air collides with cooler air masses. Summer storms are driven by afternoon convective heating, typically building in the mid to late afternoon hours.

Peak Season
May through September

Top Cities in Virginia

Monitor lightning activity in these Virginia cities

Virginia Beach

VA
35 storm days/yr

Norfolk

VA
36 storm days/yr

Chesapeake

VA
36 storm days/yr

Richmond

VA
38 storm days/yr

Alexandria

VA
33 storm days/yr

Hampton

VA
36 storm days/yr

Roanoke

VA
37 storm days/yr

Lightning Safety in Virginia

Stay safe during the 37 thunderstorm days Virginia averages each year

Follow the 30-30 Rule

If the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

Stay Indoors During Storms

With 37 thunderstorm days annually in Virginia, having a plan for when storms strike is essential. Avoid windows and stay away from plumbing.

Monitor Lightning Activity

Use Lightning Tracker to get real-time alerts when storms approach your area in Virginia. Early awareness helps you make safer decisions.

Outdoor Safety

If caught outside, avoid open fields, hilltops, and isolated trees. Seek shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle.

Useful Guides for Virginia

These pages help visitors who search for maps, nearby strikes, and alert setup

Near me How to check lightning near you in Virginia

Use this guide when you want to know how fast nearby strikes can become a real safety problem in Virginia.

 Map guide How to read a lightning map for Virginia

Understand clusters, timing, and storm movement before relying on live iOS app alerts.

 Alerts Best ways to get lightning alerts in Virginia

Compare app alerts, NOAA weather radio, and local warning workflows for storms in your area.

Virginia Lightning FAQ

Fast answers for live maps, storm days, and lightning safety in Virginia

How many thunderstorm days does Virginia get per year?

Virginia averages 37 thunderstorm days per year, based on NOAA climate data. The national average is approximately 25 thunderstorm days per year.

What is the 30-30 rule for lightning safety?

The 30-30 rule states: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside.

How can I track lightning in Virginia in real time?

Lightning Tracker uses NOAA GOES-19 GLM (Geostationary Lightning Mapper) satellite data to display real-time lightning strikes across Virginia. The iOS app provides push notification alerts when storms approach your location.

iOS app

Track Lightning in Virginia Right Now

Download the iOS app for live alerts, then use the Virginia hub, city pages, and lightning guides for local map and safety context.

Save your area on iPhone.

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Use the website for live maps. Use the iOS app to keep your area ready on your phone.