StrikeCast

Is lightning near St. Cloud right now?

Storm season in St. Cloud peaks May–August.

Free push alert when lightning approaches St. Cloud. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.

Live lightning strike map near St. Cloud
Strikes · NOAA GOES-GLM

Thunderstorm season near St. Cloud

St. Cloud sits in Minnesota, which averages about 40 thunderstorm days a year — roughly 1.6× the national average of 25. Lightning near St. Cloud is most frequent May–August.

MN thunderstorm days/yr
40
Peak season
May–August
vs US average
1.6×
Metro population
~68.9K

State-level NOAA climatology; a city-specific thunderstorm-day normal isn’t published for every station.

Where St. Cloud sits

At around 1,037 ft and about 739 mi inland, St. Cloud's lightning usually rides through with passing fronts and complexes.

NOAA logged 6 notable lightning events within 50 miles of St. Cloud since 2015.

Elevation
1,037 ft
Distance to coast
~739 mi
Terrain
Inland lowland

Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth · Lightning history: NOAA NCEI Storm Events.

Lightning safety in St. Cloud

When thunderstorms build over St. Cloud, 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 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.

StrikeCast app: 6 mi nearest strike — approaching
StrikeCast push notification: Lightning 3 mi away — approaching
Download on the App Store

Your exact location stays on your device. Never shared. Never tracked.

Frequently asked

How far away is the nearest lightning to St. Cloud?

StrikeCast shows the live distance in miles to the nearest strike near St. Cloud, updated continuously from NOAA GOES-GLM satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.

Is it safe to be outside in St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud?

St. Cloud sees the most lightning May–August, the height of the regional storm season.

Can I get lightning alerts for St. Cloud?

Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save St. Cloud, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.

Lightning guides

Nearby lightning maps