Is lightning near Quito right now?
~45 kmnearest strike to Quito
16 strikes within 161 km in the last hour.
Free push alert when lightning approaches Quito. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.
Thunderstorm season near Quito
Quito sits in Ecuador, where lightning is most frequent October–May. Ecuador sits squarely on the equator, so its thunderstorms follow the wet season rather than a summer calendar. From October to May the coastal lowlands around Guayaquil and the Amazon basin to the east fire frequent, heavy afternoon storms, while the high Andean valleys around Quito see their own convection year-round. Storms here build fast in the tropical heat and strike well ahead of the rain, so the live distance to the nearest flash and whether it is closing in are what keep you safe.
Where Quito sits
Perched around 2,920 m and roughly 156 km inland, Quito gets terrain-driven afternoon convection — storms build over high ground and move quickly.
- Elevation
- 2,920 m
- Distance to coast
- ~156 km
- Terrain
- High elevation
Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth.
Lightning safety in Quito
When thunderstorms build over Quito, 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 Quito?
StrikeCast shows the live distance to the nearest strike near Quito, updated continuously from NOAA GOES-GLM satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.
Is it safe to be outside in Quito 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 Quito?
Quito sees the most lightning October–May, the height of Ecuador's storm season.
Can I get lightning alerts for Quito?
Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save Quito, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.
Nearby lightning maps
Data: NOAA GOES GLM.