Is lightning near Brookings right now?
Storm season in Brookings peaks May–August.
Free push alert when lightning approaches Brookings. Your exact location and alerts live in the app.
Thunderstorm season near Brookings
Lightning near Brookings follows South Dakota's pattern of about 40 thunderstorm days a year, roughly 1.6× the national average of 25. Lightning near Brookings is most frequent May–August.
- SD thunderstorm days/yr
- 40
- Peak season
- May–August
- vs US average
- 1.6×
- Metro population
- ~23.4K
State-level NOAA climatology; a city-specific thunderstorm-day normal isn’t published for every station.
Where Brookings sits
At around 1,621 ft and about 887 mi inland, Brookings's lightning usually rides through with passing fronts and complexes.
NOAA logged 1 notable lightning event within 50 miles of Brookings since 2015.
- Elevation
- 1,621 ft
- Distance to coast
- ~887 mi
- Terrain
- Inland lowland
Source: Elevation: open-meteo.com · Coastline: Natural Earth · Lightning history: NOAA NCEI Storm Events.
Lightning safety in Brookings
When thunderstorms build over Brookings, 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 Brookings?
StrikeCast shows the live distance in miles to the nearest strike near Brookings, updated continuously from NOAA GOES-GLM satellite data, plus whether it is approaching or moving away.
Is it safe to be outside in Brookings 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 Brookings?
Brookings sees the most lightning May–August, the height of the regional storm season.
Can I get lightning alerts for Brookings?
Yes. Get the free StrikeCast app, save Brookings, and you will get a push alert when lightning approaches — no need to keep the app open.