Detection of the storm front distance (not lightning strike intensity) within an area of in 5÷40 km range. Utilizing a sensitive RF receiver and integrated proprietary algorithm, all models detect the electrical emissions from lightning activity and then provide for an estimation of the distance to the head of the storm from 40 km away, while rejecting disturbances from manmade signals such as motors and microwave ovens. The estimated distance which is detected does not represent the distance to the single lightning but the estimated distance to the leading edge of the storm.