StrikeCast

Is lightning near Houston right now?

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

Live lightning strike map near Houston
Strikes · NOAA GOES-GLM

Thunderstorm season in Houston

Houston, TX averages about 61 thunderstorm days a yearroughly 2.4× the US average of 25. Lightning activity peaks April–September, when Texas’s warm-season storms are most frequent.

Thunderstorm days/yr
61
Peak season
April–September
vs US average
2.4×

Source: NOAA / WMO climate normals — mean annual days with thunderstorms (1961–2010).

Lightning safety in Houston

When thunderstorms build over Houston, 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.

Frequently asked

How far away is the nearest lightning to Houston?

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

Is it safe to be outside in Houston 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 Houston?

Houston sees the most lightning April–September, averaging about 61 thunderstorm days a year.

Can I get lightning alerts for Houston?

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

Nearby lightning maps