U.S. Lightning
Data
OFFICIAL/ACCURATE
DATA:
Lightning data is currently being
provided to the public by two national networks, the USPLN run by WDT
& TOA, and the NLDN, run by Vaisala. A third network is under construction
by Boltek, Inc.
1.
The USPLN, a partnership between the radar experts
WDT Inc. and lightning
detector manufacturer
TOA
Inc., sprung onto the scene in Spring 2003, disrupting Vaisala's monopoly
on lightning data. Their network is accurate to 250 meters or less. They
provide lightning  strike
data (as opposed to Vaisala's distribution of mainly lightning flash
data) which USLPN explains is more accurate (detailed explanation on the
difference will be posted here soon). Their website says: "The USPLN will
provide real-time and archive lightning strike information, as well as serve as
the basis for value-added lightning services to its customers."
On June 1, 2004 they began
providing a
test
image of their data on their server. As of Fall 2004 the network was
completed. For the first time in Internet history, competitively priced B2C
(Business to Consumer) products and services are now offered by the providers
above, and more information will be posted here when it is known.
2.
Prior to 2004, a monopoly called
Vaisala, formerly known as Global Atmospherics, Inc. was the only provider of
official, accurate U.S. lightning data. Their website notes that their
accuracy's "median value is around 500 meters." For company information about
Vaisala, click here.
Subscription Lightning
Data:
To subscribe to live, delayed, or
archived data from USPLN, contact one of their
resellers, for example
AccuWeather.com
LightningPlus. To subscribe to data from Vaisala, click to their
subscription page.
WeatherMatrix used to sell lightning data under Vaisala,
but those packages and prices are no longer available.
Free Lightning
Data:
- National Maps (Real-Time, 15
Minute Updates)
- National Maps (30 Minutes
Delayed)
AMATEUR STATIONS
FREE ON THE WEB:
DISCLAIMER: Accuracy from amateur
systems, such as those listed here, can be bad; lightning areas can be off by
hundreds of miles.
This list formerly resided on
Daniel's Weather Radar
Page. See also WORLD and
TROPICAL.
Alabama
Tuscaloosa---DB
Technology
Arizona
Mesa---Bill Zachar's
Mesa, AZ Weather Page
Arkansas
Jonesboro---Nelscomm
California
Chico---KHSL Storm
Tracker
San Luis Opispo---TBO.net
Colorado
Castle Rock---Skyview
Weather
Indian Hills---BobA.com, Inc
Connecticut
Sherman---Sherman, CT
Weather
Voluntown---New London County Weather
Page(Updates only during hazardous weather)
Florida
Boynton Beach---Maltese
Network
St. Petersburg---St.
Petersburg Times
Tampa---Florida Media
Communications
West Central---
APRS Florida
Georgia
Savannah---WTOC
11
Indiana
Kokomo---The Town
Wire
Iowa
Cedar Rapids---KCRG TV9 First
Alert Lightning Tracker
Kentucky
Danville---City
of
Louisiana
Metairie---W5HJS Website
Sterlington---Ouachita High
School
Michigan
Clinton Township---Wes'
Weather Page
Massachusetts
Boston
Area---Johns Weather
Page
Minnesota
Gunflint
Lodge---Boundary
Waters
Ely ---Boundary Waters
Minneapolis/St. Paul---APR
Weather
St. Cloud---StCloudWeather.com
Tracy---TracyMNWeather.com
Missouri
Lebanon---LLION Weather
Center
St. Louis---Ballwin Weather
Network
Dardenne---Dardenne Weather
Center
New
Hampshire
Western---NHWeatherData
New
Jersey
Deptford---Gary's Severe Weather
Page
Cherry Hill---
twright73269
North
Carolina
Concord---Carolina Storm
Watch
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City?---K5OKC
Ohio
Mansfield---WMFD
Lightning Detection System
Waynesville---Wanynesville, OH - Weather
Forecast
Pennsylvania
State
College---WEATHERMATRIX HEADQUARTERS
State
College---Penn State
University
Meadville---WeatherWizard
Reading---Reading
Rhode
Island
Charlestown---On Site Computer
Technologies...loop
Tennessee
Cookeville---Putnam County Emergency
Management Agency
Texas
Bergheim---Jeff
Paddock
Irving---S.A.S.
Productions
Houston---EMWIN
Pittsburg---Red Cloud
Ranch
Taylor---Taylor
Texas Weather Network
Virginia
Wallops Island---Eastern
Shore Weather Service
Manakin Sabot---CVWS
Wisconsin
 Madison---WMTV NBC 15 Storm Team Lightning
Track
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