Lightning Distance
Tap when you see lightning, tap again when you hear thunder — see exactly how far away the storm is, live on a map. No ads, no tracking, no account.
Lightning Distance turns the old "flash-to-bang" trick into a precise, one-tap tool. Tap when you see the flash, tap again when you hear the thunder — the app calculates how far away the storm is using the real speed of sound, with an optional temperature adjustment for even more accurate results.
See it, don't just read it: your estimated distance is drawn live on a map centered on your location, so you can watch the strike radius as you count.
FEATURES
- One-tap timing — no math, no guessing
- Live map visualization of the estimated strike radius
- Metric and imperial units, detected automatically or set manually
- Optional temperature calibration for more precise readings
- Clean, modern design built for quick glances during a storm
- No ads, no tracking, no account required
Your location is only ever used to center the map — it's never stored, transmitted, or shared.
Lightning Distance isn't a substitute for official severe weather warnings, but it's a fast, no-fuss way to get a sense of how close a storm really is — whether you're deciding when to head indoors or just curious after that last strike.
Help
How does Lightning Distance calculate the distance?
Tap once when you see the lightning, then again when you hear the thunder. The app uses that elapsed time and the speed of sound to estimate how far away the strike was. Temperature adjustment can make the estimate more precise.
Why does the app need my location?
Your location is used only to centre the map and draw the estimated strike radius around you. It is never stored, transmitted or shared.
Can I switch between kilometres and miles?
Yes. Lightning Distance can choose metric or imperial units automatically, or you can set your preferred units manually in Settings.
Can I rely on the app for storm safety?
No. The result is an estimate and Lightning Distance is not a substitute for official severe-weather warnings. Follow local guidance and move to shelter when thunder is audible.
Something is broken
Email daelin@dc-web.co.za with your device model and iOS version and I'll take a look.
App details
- Price: Free
- Category: Utilities
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 or later
- Available on: iPhone, iPad, Mac (Apple silicon) and Apple Vision
- Language: English
- Version: 4.0