Alert Service

Lightning Detection Alerts

Know the moment lightning strikes near you. Delivered by email or text.

  • Real-time detection across the U.S.
  • Configurable strike radius around every saved location
  • One subscription covers email and text delivery
See a sample alert
9:41
Tuesday, July 8
4:12
Authoritative Source

Lightning strike data sourced directly from NOAA's Geostationary satellite network. iAlert has been delivering forecast and alert notification services for more than 16 years.

How It Works

From strike to your phone in seconds.

  1. 01

    Detect

    Lightning strikes are detected in real time across the continental United States. Each strike is timestamped and pinpointed to a location.

  2. 02

    Match your radius

    Every new strike is checked against your saved locations and your chosen radius. Strikes outside your range stay off your phone.

  3. 03

    Deliver in seconds

    When a strike falls inside your radius, the alert goes out through every channel you've turned on: email, text, or both.

What You Get

Built around four promises.

Everything below is included in the $9.00 monthly subscription.

Real-Time Strikes

Alerts fire the moment a strike is detected within your radius. A configurable cooling-off period (5 minutes minimum) keeps alert volume manageable during active storms. You control the pace.

  • Continuous monitoring
  • Strike-triggered notification

Email or Text

Pick the channel that reaches you, or turn on both. Add or remove them anytime from your account.

  • Primary and secondary email per subscription
  • 1 text-enabled device per subscription

Any U.S. Location

30,000+ U.S. cities and towns. Pick the place you want covered and iAlert handles the rest.

  • All 50 states
  • Cities and towns

Configurable Radius

Set detection rings around each location. Configure a tighter ring around pools, construction sites, and outdoor events for immediate proximity coverage. Extend it to 20-30 miles for regional awareness and advance warning of approaching storms.

  • Per-location radius
  • Adjust anytime
Configuration Demo

Distance Monitoring Rings

Click a ring or drag the slider to explore. Actual configuration is in your iAlert account after signup.

0 – 5 mi Immediate Action
5 – 10 mi High Risk
10 – 20 mi Caution
20 – 30 mi Awareness

Strikes in selected ranges trigger alerts

Lightning Flash Intensity

Demo only. Configure in your iAlert account after signup.

Sample Alert

Exactly what arrives, in your channel of choice.

Below is the format of an iAlert lightning alert across each delivery channel. Sample copy only; the strike location and timestamp on a live alert will be your own.

iAlert Notifications
no-reply@ialert.com
4:12 PM
[Sample] Lightning Detection — 7 Strikes Near ROCKVILLE, MD
LIGHTNING DETECTION ALERT
ROCKVILLE, MD

7 new lightning strikes detected near ROCKVILLE, MD

TIME (EDT) DISTANCE & BEARING FLASH INTENSITY
5 – 10 mi (High Risk) — 7 strikes
May 13 20:45 5.6 mi E Weak (138 J)
May 13 20:46 7.7 mi ENE Weak (472 J)
May 13 20:48 8.6 mi NE Strong (1,518 J)
May 13 20:48 8.4 mi NNE Strong (4,432 J)
May 13 20:48 9.8 mi N Weak (188 J)
May 13 20:49 9.2 mi NE Strong (2,502 J)
May 13 20:52 7.6 mi NE Moderate (1,370 J)

View Live Radar ›

iAlert Lightning Detection Alerts. Adjust your radius, locations, or channels anytime from your account.

Coverage at a glance.

  • 30,000+ U.S. cities and towns
  • All 50 U.S. states served
  • 2 Delivery channels: email and text
  • 16+ yrs In continuous operation
Questions, answered

Before you subscribe.

How fast do alerts arrive?
Alerts are dispatched the moment a strike is detected inside your configured radius. Email and text typically arrive within seconds. A configurable cooling-off period (5 minutes minimum) prevents alert flooding during active storms.
How do I set my strike radius?
Each saved location carries its own alert notification radius setting. Sign in to your iAlert account, open the location you want to adjust, and pick the radius from the configuration panel. The Configuration Guide PDF walks through the exact steps.
What devices can receive the text channel?
Any SMS-capable mobile number works. iAlert sends standard text messages, so the alert lands wherever your phone receives texts. One text-enabled device is included per subscription.
Can I add lightning to an existing iAlert account?
Yes. Add the service to your cart and log in when prompted during checkout. Once signup is complete, you can immediately configure Lightning Detection Alerts for your locations. Many users subscribe to multiple iAlert services to meet their needs.
Does an alert fire on every strike, or only when one crosses my radius?
Only when a strike falls inside your radius. Strikes outside your configured range are filtered out before any alert is sent, you won't receive unwanted alerts.
Is there a cap on how many alerts you'll send me?
There is no monthly cap. The cooling-off period per zone controls how frequently alerts fire during active storms. To reduce alert volume, increase the cooling-off period for the relevant zone or tighten the radius on that location. Both settings are adjustable anytime from your account.
How do I cancel?
Cancel anytime from your iAlert account. The subscription ends at the close of the current billing month and no further charges occur.
Service Summary Guide PDF, what's included Configuration Guide PDF, how to set it up
Pair it with

Other iAlert services you can add.

Ready when you are

Start receiving lightning alerts for $9.00 per month.

Instant account activation. Cancel anytime from your account.