# Thunderstorm Simulator — Rain and lightning effects

> Customizable thunderstorm sound and light simulator for relaxation and sleep. (iPhone/iPad app by Scott Dodson.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulator/id1200949907 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Scott Dodson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033778296)
- Category: Entertainment, Health & Fitness
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 13.0.0 · 72 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-02-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulator/id1200949907/reviews.md

## What is Thunderstorm Simulator?

Summon a thunderstorm on your smart device. Relax and fall fast asleep to the sounds of rain and thunder. The screen or camera flashes when lightning strikes.*

*Defaults to screen for lightning light effects if camera flash is not available.

THUNDERSTORMS
 
• Strong Thunderstorm — Heavy rain with frequent lightning and thunder nearby
• Normal Thunderstorm — Steady rain with a full range of lightning and thunder
• Weak Thunderstorm — Light rain with occasional lightning and thunder far off
• Passing Thunderstorms — Rain and lightning intensity changes as the storms pass
 
SETTINGS

Rain
• Toggle rain sound effects
• Change rain audio: Default, Heavy, Steady, Light, On Tin Roof
• Change rain volume

Lightning/Thunder
• Toggle thunder sound effects
• Change thunder volume
• Change delay lightning (Wireless audio delay offset)
• Toggle delay thunder
• Toggle lightning light effects
• Change lightning output: Camera Flash, Screen
• Change lightning transition effects
• Change lightning/thunder occurrence: Default, Occasional, Normal, Frequent
• Change color and max brightness of lightning light effects (Screen only)

 Passing Thunderstorms
• Change starting storm for Passing Thunderstorms: Weak, Normal, Strong
• Change cycle time for Passing Thunderstorms: 15m, 30m, 60m

Background Sounds
• Toggle background sounds: Birds, Cicadas, Crickets, Frogs
• Change background sounds volume

General
• Keep Awake to prevent your device from going to sleep so lightning effects remain visible
• Hide Status Bar to maximize screen space for lightning effects
• Select a mode to automatically start when the app opens
• Choose a time to automatically stop the selected mode
• Choose a time to automatically restart the selected mode when the sleep timer ends, enabling a recurring cycle
 
ADDITIONAL FEATURES

• Sleep Timer — Set a timer with a gradual audio fade-out.
• Turn Screen Black — Adds a black overlay and sets the device to minimum brightness. Use the Screen Brightness Delay setting to compensate for brightness ramp-up on some devices. Set to 0.25–1 second if lightning effects do not reach peak brightness when thunder is loudest.
• Lightning on Demand — Start a storm and use the lightning buttons at the bottom of the screen for manual control.
• Bluetooth Support — Connect to Bluetooth speakers. Adjust the Delay Lightning setting to offset wireless audio delay.
 
Please contact me at support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev if you experience any issues. I'd love to hear your thoughts and appreciate you taking the time to rate and review the app. I want to continue to improve Thunderstorm Simulator and create a great experience for you and future users. Thank you! —Scott

Ad-supported version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thunderstorm-simulator-w-ads/id1482707561

## Key features

- Adjustable rain sounds and volume
- Customizable thunder and lightning occurrences
- Screen or camera flash lightning effects
- Background nature sounds
- Sleep timer with fade-out
- Keep Awake mode
- Lightning on Demand control

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulator/id1200949907/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Very realistic

*2021-05-14*

Very realistic simulator. Lots of controls and options. I am impressed with how much the phone display lights up a room with each lightning strike. I’m very pleased I bought this app

### 5/5 — Delightful

*2020-08-11*

What a delightful app works really well, the best app of this sort I’ve found so far.

### 4/5 — Needs more customization options

*2017-05-15*

Great app, but it needs more customization options like choosing thunder and lightning frequency, and maybe even a two buttons, one to trigger lightning and the other to trigger thunder, how loud the thunder is will depend on how long after the lightning flash you push the button.

## Frequently asked questions about Thunderstorm Simulator

### What types of thunderstorms can I simulate with Thunderstorm Simulator?

Thunderstorm Simulator offers four types: Strong Thunderstorm (heavy rain, frequent lightning), Normal Thunderstorm (steady rain, full range of thunder/lightning), Weak Thunderstorm (light rain, occasional distant lightning), and Passing Thunderstorms (varying intensity as storms move).

### Can I customize the lightning effects in Thunderstorm Simulator?

Yes, you can toggle lightning light effects, choose between camera flash or screen output, adjust transition effects, set occurrence frequency, and even change the color and max brightness of screen lightning.

### Does Thunderstorm Simulator have a sleep timer?

Yes, Thunderstorm Simulator includes a sleep timer that allows for a gradual audio fade-out, helping you drift off to sleep peacefully.

### What background sounds are available in Thunderstorm Simulator?

In addition to rain and thunder, you can add background sounds like Birds, Cicadas, Crickets, and Frogs, with adjustable volume for each.

### Is Thunderstorm Simulator available on multiple devices?

Thunderstorm Simulator is designed for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, offering a consistent experience across Apple's mobile ecosystem.

### How often is Thunderstorm Simulator updated?

The app was last updated on April 14, 2026, indicating ongoing development and support for the application.

### What is the age rating for Thunderstorm Simulator?

Thunderstorm Simulator has an age rating of 12+, suggesting it is suitable for users aged 12 and above due to its content.

### Does Thunderstorm Simulator have ads?

No, the version of Thunderstorm Simulator described is not ad-supported and is a paid application, offering an uninterrupted experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.6.1 — 2026-06-25

Need help? Email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev

- fixed on-demand lightning buttons

### 3.5.0 — 2026-04-14

Need help? Email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev

- added lightning buttons for on-demand lightning during a storm
- fixed compatibility issue

### 3.4.0 — 2025-08-23

Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev

- fixed compatibility issue

### 3.2.0 — 2021-10-31

Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev

- improved tablet UI

### 3.1.2 — 2020-05-28

Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev

- added Lightning/Thunder Output setting (camera flash, screen)
- added Lightning/Thunder screen output settings:
-- Screen Brightness Delay
-- Transition FX
-- Color & Brightness
- added Delay Lightning setting
- added Keep Awake setting
- added Hide Status Bar setting
- updated description

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## More apps by Scott Dodson

- [Thunderstorm for LIFX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-for-lifx/id1110240379)
- [Thunderstorm for Hue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-for-hue/id1126491070)
- [Firestorm for Hue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firestorm-for-hue/id1156347961)
- [Firestorm for LIFX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firestorm-for-lifx/id1179113220)
- [Soundstorm for Hue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundstorm-for-hue/id1230217709)

All apps by Scott Dodson: https://appshunter.io/developer/1033778296

## Related topics

[thunderstorm simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/thunderstorm-simulator)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*
