How Lightning Tracker Can Help You Anticipate Summer Storms at Sea
Do you remember the storm that hit Formentera last summer?
That one caught nearly everyone off guard. It rolled in fast and wild — strong gusts, sideways rain, and bolts of lightning that lit up the horizon like a strobe light show gone wrong. Even experienced captains scrambled for safe anchorages as the weather turned from calm to chaos in under an hour.
For those who were out on the water, it was a powerful reminder that Mediterranean summer storms can come out of nowhere — and they don’t play nice.
That’s where Lightning Tracker comes in.
Your Early-Warning System on the Water
Whether you’re cruising along the Costa Brava, anchored in Ibiza, or preparing a delivery across to Sardinia, staying ahead of weather is crucial. Wind apps are great, but lightning is a different beast — unpredictable, dangerous, and often the first sign of a fast-moving front.
Lightning Tracker is a simple, intuitive app that shows real-time lightning activity on a map. You can literally see where lightning is striking and how close it’s getting to your position.
The moment we started using it aboard our own boats, it became one of those “never-sail-without-it” tools — right up there with Navionics and Windy.
Why It’s Useful for Yachting
⚡ Real-time Storm Tracking: Spot storm cells forming 50–100 miles away, long before they hit your location.
🌩️ Direction & Intensity: Know if lightning activity is intensifying or dissipating — and most importantly, if it’s heading toward you.
⛵ Decide Early: Whether you’re on a mooring, at anchor, or underway, having that extra hour or two of lead time can make the difference between a relaxed evening and a chaotic scramble.
A True Story: How It Saved a Charter
Earlier this year, one of our charter skippers was en route from Palma to Menorca. The forecast looked fine in the morning, but by noon, Lightning Tracker showed a growing storm front tracking northeast. While the sky was still blue, the app told another story. They changed course, tucked into Cala Ratjada early, and watched the squall pass by — dry, safe, and with a cold beer in hand.
Our Advice? Add It to Your Toolkit
We’re not affiliated with the app. We just genuinely think it’s one of the smartest additions to a sailor’s digital toolkit — especially in summer, when hot land and cool sea air can spin up storms fast.
It’s available on both iOS and Android, and most versions are either free or just a few euros. That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind when you’re offshore with guests, family, or crew.
Get Notified Before the Storm Hits
One of the best features of Lightning Tracker is its customizable notification system. The app can send you real-time alerts when lightning is detected within a certain radius of your location — for example, 30 or 50 kilometers. You’ll get a push notification right to your phone, giving you time to make decisions before the weather turns. It’s a simple but powerful tool, especially when you're at anchor or out of mobile signal range and relying on timely updates to stay safe.
Final Thought
The Mediterranean might be paradise, but it’s not always predictable. Last year’s Formentera storm won’t be the last. Give yourself the tools to anticipate, react, and stay safe. Lightning Tracker is a great place to start.
Fair winds — and calm skies,
The BCN Yachts Team
