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© OpenStreetMap © CARTO · Blitzortung.org · ESRI

Real-Time Global Lightning Map & Strike Tracker

Lightning Stats shows every lightning strike on Earth as it happens, using live data from the Blitzortung.org community detection network. The map keeps a rolling 30-minute window: fresh strikes flash in bright yellow with an expanding ring, then fade toward red as they age.

The map is drawn over live satellite imagery, and you can switch on a density heatmap grid with per-cell strike counts and sound alerts that tick for every strike in view. The strike archive ranks live totals by country and keeps daily counts, all-time records, and a browsable history for every country.

Frequently asked questions

How does the live lightning map work?

The map shows lightning strikes detected by Blitzortung.org, a community network of thousands of volunteer-run receiver stations. Each station records the radio signal a strike emits, and the network locates the strike from the tiny differences in arrival time. New strikes appear on the map within seconds.

How real-time is the data?

Strikes typically appear one to a few seconds after they happen. The map always shows the last 30 minutes of activity, with the newest strikes drawn brightest and on top.

What do the dot colors mean?

Color encodes age within the 30-minute window: bright yellow dots are the most recent strikes, fading through orange and red to dark purple for the oldest. Strikes younger than ten seconds get a red ring.

What is Blitzortung.org?

Blitzortung.org is a non-commercial, community-driven lightning detection network. Volunteers around the world operate low-cost receiver hardware, and the project combines their measurements into free, real-time lightning data.

Is Lightning Stats free to use?

Yes. Lightning Stats is completely free — no account, no ads. It exists because watching storms live is fascinating.