Lightning analysisLightning detection Zambia

Thunderstorms are some of the most exciting weather phenomena. Our current lightning analysis is based on data of worldwide lightning networks and shows you in real time where thunderstorms are active.

The small symbols mark the strike location; the colors from white to dark brown indicate the age of the strike.

Precise lightning analysis

Zoom in on the map to your town, county or region and click on any strike to see details about the location, intensity and type.

+ or - marks positively or negatively charged strikes that reached the ground. • marks a cloud flash.

Historical data in the Lightning Archive

For historical lightning data from june 2026 going back to 1999 with street-level accuracy (data from Siemens BLIDS and ALDIS BLIDS for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Belgium and the Netherlands) please use our separate Lightning Archive.

Lightning intensity classification

Lightning intensity is measured in kiloamperes (kA) and shown when you click on an individual strike. Jörg Kachelmann has classified the various intensities as follows:

• 0 to 3 kA: weak rumbler
• 3 to 7 kA: medium roller
• 7 to 40 kA: strong slammer
• 40 to 100 kA: angry roarer
• from 100 kA: wild house shaker

How are the strikes located?

Every lightning discharge generates an electromagnetic field that propagates in waves from its origin in all directions at the speed of light. From the differences in the times recorded at the receivers (antennas), the strike location is calculated. This method makes it possible to locate every strike and also to determine its polarity and current.