Seattle, WA Lightning Map
Real-time lightning tracking for Seattle, Washington. This city averages 8 thunderstorm days per year, making lightning awareness important for Seattle residents and visitors.
Live data from NOAA GOES-19 GLM. Seattle, WA. — quiet period. Seattle, WA averages 8 thunderstorm days per year.
Data sourced from NOAA GOES-19 GLM and the Storm Prediction Center.
Real-Time Lightning Near Seattle
Monitor live lightning strikes and approaching storms
Live Lightning Data for Seattle
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 Seattle.
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Use the website for live maps. Use the iOS app to keep your area ready on your phone.
Thunderstorm Season in Seattle
When to expect lightning activity in Seattle, WA
Thunderstorms in Seattle 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, Seattle sees 17 fewer days of thunderstorm activity. The Washington statewide average is 10 days.
Lightning Safety Tips for Seattle
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 8 thunderstorm days annually, residents of Seattle 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle
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 Seattle 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 SeattleUnderstand strike clusters, motion, and timing so you can decide when to get indoors.
Seattle Lightning FAQ
Fast answers for live lightning, storm season, and safety in Seattle
How many thunderstorm days does Seattle, Washington get per year?
Seattle averages 8 thunderstorm days per year. The national average is approximately 25 days, and the Washington statewide average is 10 days.
When is thunderstorm season in Seattle?
Thunderstorms in Seattle 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 Seattle?
Follow the 30-30 rule: if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. With 8 thunderstorm days annually in Seattle, 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 Seattle
Jump to nearby city pages when storms are moving across the region