Lightning in Singapore
Cloud-to-ground lightning, detection & safety
Singapore has one of the highest lightning rates in the world — after Indonesia and Colombia, Malaysia and Singapore rank among the most lightning-active countries on Earth. Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is the most common type reported in Singapore. When thunder is heard, move indoors immediately and wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back out.
Lightning Facts for Singapore
~170
Thunder days / year
10–16 km
Strike distance from storm
30 / 30
Lightning safety rule
~300M V
Volts per strike
Around 70% of the world’s lightning occurs on land within the tropics, and Singapore sits squarely in that belt. Cloud-to-ground lightning makes up roughly 10% of all flashes in the tropics (the rest are intra-cloud and cloud-to-cloud) but causes nearly all lightning injuries and damage.
The 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule
First 30: When to seek shelter
If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, the storm is close enough to strike you. Move indoors or into a hard-topped vehicle immediately.
Second 30: When it is safe to leave
Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before leaving shelter. Lightning can strike even after the storm seems to have passed.
Lightning Safety Tips
Do
- Seek shelter inside a substantial building
- Get inside a hard-topped, closed vehicle
- Unplug sensitive electronics before the storm
- Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunder
- Check weather warnings before outdoor activities
Don’t
- Stay under tall trees, poles or umbrellas
- Use corded phones or plugged-in electronics
- Take a shower or wash dishes during a storm
- Stand in open fields or on high ground
- Touch metal objects like fences or railings
Types of Lightning
Cloud-to-Ground (CG)
The most dangerous. Discharge between cloud and ground. Detected by lightning sensors and shown on the lightning map. NEA confirms CG is the most common lightning type reported in Singapore.
Intra-Cloud (IC)
Most common worldwide. Discharge within a single cloud. Visible as flickering flashes. In the tropics the (IC+CC):CG ratio is about 9:1, so for every cloud-to-ground strike there are roughly 9 cloud-only flashes.
Cloud-to-Cloud (CC)
Discharge between two clouds. Less dangerous on the ground but still indicates active storms.
Lightning Detection in Singapore
The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) operates a lightning detection network that locates cloud-to-ground strikes in real time using the electromagnetic pulse each bolt emits. Sensors triangulate the strike location, and the result is published on the MSS weather portal as the live lightning map. Cloud-to-cloud and intra-cloud flashes are not shown on this map because they do not pose a direct ground hazard.
Real-time map
Live CG strike locations updated every few minutes on the MSS weather portal.
Alerts
MSS issues lightning alerts when CG activity is detected near populated areas.
When CG strikes peak
Mostly in the afternoon (13:00–17:00 SGT) during the inter-monsoon periods (Apr–May and Oct–Nov).
Related Information
Lightning in Singapore — why it matters
Singapore sits near the equator in a tropical climate with abundant convection, making it one of the most lightning-prone cities in the world. The Meteorological Service Singapore estimates around 170 thunder days per year, with the inter-monsoon periods (April–May and October–November) seeing the most afternoon thunderstorm activity. Cloud-to-ground lightning is the type that poses the greatest risk to life and property.
How is lightning detected?
Lightning sensors detect the electromagnetic pulse produced by each strike and triangulate the location of cloud-to-ground discharges. The Meteorological Service Singapore operates a lightning detection network that publishes real-time strike information. When a thunderstorm warning is issued, assume lightning is active in the warned area even if you cannot yet see or hear it.
Lightning and the 2-hour nowcast
The NEA 2-hour nowcast flags thundery showers when thunderstorm activity is forecast for the next two hours. A forecast of thundery showers indicates an imminent risk of lightning. Pair the nowcast with the live rain radar to see exactly where storms are building.
NEA Weather SG provides lightning guidance based on publicly available information from NEA and the Meteorological Service Singapore. We are not affiliated with NEA.