Is lightning near Polokwane right now?
Storm season in Polokwane peaks November–March.
Free push alert when lightning approaches Polokwane. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.
Thunderstorm season near Polokwane
Polokwane sits in South Africa, where lightning is most frequent November–March. South Africa's lightning is a Southern-Hemisphere summer story: from November to March, afternoon heating over the high interior plateau — the Highveld around Johannesburg and Pretoria — fires violent thunderstorms with frequent cloud-to-ground strikes and hail. Ground-flash density here is among the world's highest. Coastal Durban and Cape Town see their own frontal and convective storms. Knowing how close the nearest strike is, and whether it is approaching, is essential.
Limpopo is part of the northern interior where South African lightning concentrates: national ground-flash density peaks above 15 flashes per km² a year along the eastern escarpment and drops off towards the west.
Regional figure, not a Polokwane station measurement. Source: Gijben (2012), The lightning climatology of South Africa, S. Afr. J. Sci. 108(3/4) — SAWS lightning detection network, 2006–2010.
Where Polokwane sits
At about 1,311 m and roughly 381 km inland, Polokwane's storms are typically heat-driven and quick to develop.
- Elevation
- 1,311 m
- Distance to coast
- ~381 km
- Terrain
- Elevated interior
Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth.
Lightning safety in Polokwane
When thunderstorms build over Polokwane, 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.
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Frequently asked
How far away is the nearest lightning to Polokwane?
StrikeCast shows the live distance to the nearest strike near Polokwane, updated continuously from EUMETSAT MTG-LI satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.
Is it safe to be outside in Polokwane 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 Polokwane?
Polokwane sees the most lightning November–March, the height of South Africa's storm season.
Can I get lightning alerts for Polokwane?
Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save Polokwane, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.
Nearby lightning maps
Data: EUMETSAT MTG-LI.