Is lightning near Pittsburgh right now?
Storm season in Pittsburgh peaks June–August.
Free push alert when lightning approaches Pittsburgh. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.
Thunderstorm season near Pittsburgh
Lightning near Pittsburgh follows Pennsylvania's pattern of about 35 thunderstorm days a year, roughly 1.4× the national average of 25. Lightning near Pittsburgh is most frequent June–August.
- PA thunderstorm days/yr
- 35
- Peak season
- June–August
- vs US average
- 1.4×
- Metro population
- ~303K
State-level NOAA climatology; a city-specific thunderstorm-day normal isn’t published for every station.
Where Pittsburgh sits
At around 774 ft and about 189 mi inland, Pittsburgh's lightning usually rides through with passing fronts and complexes.
NOAA logged 7 notable lightning events within 50 miles of Pittsburgh since 2015 — including 1 injury and 2 deaths.
- Elevation
- 774 ft
- Distance to coast
- ~189 mi
- Terrain
- Inland lowland
Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth · Lightning history: NOAA NCEI Storm Events.
Lightning safety in Pittsburgh
When thunderstorms build over Pittsburgh, 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.
Your exact location stays on your device. Never shared. Never tracked.
Frequently asked
How far away is the nearest lightning to Pittsburgh?
StrikeCast shows the live distance in miles to the nearest strike near Pittsburgh, updated continuously from NOAA GOES-GLM satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.
Is it safe to be outside in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh sees the most lightning June–August, the height of the regional storm season.
Can I get lightning alerts for Pittsburgh?
Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save Pittsburgh, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.