Is lightning near Cali right now?
~155 kmnearest strike to Cali
4 strikes within 161 km in the last hour.
Free push alert when lightning approaches Cali. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.
Thunderstorm season near Cali
Cali sits in Colombia, where lightning is most frequent March–May, September–November. Colombia's position on the equator gives it lightning in two rainy peaks — roughly March to May and September to November — though storms can fire any month. The humid Magdalena valley, the Pacific Chocó and the Andean slopes around Bogotá, Medellín and Cali see frequent, intense afternoon and overnight thunderstorms. Some of the highest flash densities ever recorded sit over Colombian terrain. Because these storms strike hard and often ahead of the rain, the live nearest-strike distance beats waiting for thunder.
Where Cali sits
Cali lies on elevated interior terrain near 1,009 m, about 69 km from the coast, where summer heating fuels fast-building afternoon thunderstorms.
- Elevation
- 1,009 m
- Distance to coast
- ~69 km
- Terrain
- Elevated interior
Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth.
Lightning safety in Cali
When thunderstorms build over Cali, 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 Cali?
StrikeCast shows the live distance to the nearest strike near Cali, updated continuously from NOAA GOES-GLM satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.
Is it safe to be outside in Cali 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 Cali?
Cali sees the most lightning March–May, September–November, the height of Colombia's storm season.
Can I get lightning alerts for Cali?
Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save Cali, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.
Nearby lightning maps
Data: NOAA GOES GLM.