Is lightning near Ottawa right now?
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Free push alert when lightning approaches Ottawa. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.
Thunderstorm season near Ottawa
Ottawa sits in Canada, where lightning is most frequent June–August. Canada's lightning is concentrated into a brief but intense warm season. From June to August, heat and humidity surging north from the United States fire afternoon and evening thunderstorms across the Prairies — Winnipeg, Regina and Saskatoon see frequent storms — and through southern Ontario and Quebec around Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. The Pacific coast and the far north stay relatively quiet. Because these storms build fast and travel far across open country, the live distance to the nearest strike and whether it is approaching are what give you warning.
Where Ottawa sits
About 90 km from the coast at roughly 76 m, Ottawa sees moisture-fed storms through the warm months.
- Elevation
- 76 m
- Distance to coast
- ~90 km
- Terrain
- Near-coastal plain
Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth.
Lightning safety in Ottawa
When thunderstorms build over Ottawa, the distance to the nearest strike matters more than a city-wide count. Use the 30-30 rule: if thunder follows lightning by 30 seconds or less, get indoors, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before heading back out. StrikeCast surfaces the live distance and trend so you can act before the storm reaches you.
StrikeCast app
Distance, trend & alerts — in your pocket.
GPS-precise distance to the nearest strike, live approaching/moving-away trend, and a push alert before the storm reaches you — no need to keep the app open.
Your exact location stays on your device. Never shared. Never tracked.
Frequently asked
How far away is the nearest lightning to Ottawa?
StrikeCast shows the live distance to the nearest strike near Ottawa, updated continuously from NOAA GOES-GLM satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.
Is it safe to be outside in Ottawa right now?
If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck. Follow the 30-30 rule: shelter when thunder follows lightning by 30 seconds or less, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder. StrikeCast's distance and trend help you decide before the storm arrives.
When is thunderstorm season in Ottawa?
Ottawa sees the most lightning June–August, the height of Canada's storm season.
Can I get lightning alerts for Ottawa?
Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save Ottawa, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.
Nearby lightning maps
Data: NOAA GOES-GLM.