History, Detection Methods, History, Detection Methods, and Purposeand Purpose

Matt Mahler – METR 2413

Getting StartedGetting Started

• Informing those who want to know about the primary source of lightning detection, but don’t have a lot of time.

• Coverage:– A brief history– Why NLDN exists– How NLDN works

• Cool lightning pictures!

© Michael Fewings

Where It All BeganWhere It All Began

• Originated in the mid-1970s at the University of Arizona• Founded by Dr. E. Philip Krider, Dr. Burt Pifer, and Dr.

Martin Uman – who all researched lightning behavior and properties.

• After over a decade of hard work, they formed the United States’ only national lightning detection system.

• Since 1989, it has monitored the 20-25 million cloud-to ground lightning strikes (per year!) in the contiguous 48 states (a.k.a. “A Wide-area Lightning Information System”)

• Operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

So…What is it? & What does it do?So…What is it? & What does it do?

• “The most sophisticated lightning detection and location system in the world.”

• Instantaneously detects electromagnetic signals given off when lightning strikes the ground.

• Closely examines lightning activity as a storm intensifies and moves, which in turn…

• Informs weather forecasters and weather-sensitive businesses when a storm begins to generate lightning so other dangerous elements can be monitored.

How Does It All Work?How Does It All Work?

“Lazy Lightning”

© Michael Fewings

Return Lightning Stroke from 2 LPATS sensors & 3

IMPACT sensors

3 Different Components3 Different Components

• The Sensor Component

• The Central Processor Component

• The Display Software Component

(IMPACT ESP™)

(LP Series)

(LTraX®)

Photos © NLDN, Global Atmospherics, Inc.

Sensor #1 – IMPACT ESPSensor #1 – IMPACT ESP

• Specifications– ESP (Enhanced Sensitivity &

Performance)– Locates and detects cloud &

cloud-to-ground lightning– Currently 47 sensors in the

U.S.– Uses Magnetic Direction

Finding (MDF) and Time-of-Arrival (TOA) technology

Photo © NLDN, Global Atmospherics, Inc.

Impact ESP – Why It’s GoodImpact ESP – Why It’s Good

• Combined proven accuracy of Magnetic Detection Finding (MDF) technology with Time-of-Arrival (TOA) technology

• Greater location accuracy & detection efficiency• Most accurate location discharge estimates• Pinpoint accuracy within less than 500 meters (1,640

feet)• Works with only 2 sensors• Locates and detects more cloud-to-ground events than

any other available product!

Sensor #2 – LPATS IVSensor #2 – LPATS IV

• Specifications– LPATS (Lightning Positioning

and Tracking Sensor)– Detects electric field

signature of lightning discharges

– Currently 59 upgraded LPATS IV sensors in the U.S.

– Measures absolute arrival time of the lightning discharges

Photo © NLDN, Global Atmospherics, Inc.

LPATS IV – Why It’s Also GoodLPATS IV – Why It’s Also Good

• Unprecedented locational accuracy of less than 500 meters (1,640 feet)

• Detects 95% or more of all cloud-to-ground lightning flashes

• Easier remote sitting and installation than any other sensor

• Sensor self-testing• System’s reliability among the best• Confidence in overall data quality

Location of NLDN Lightning SensorsLocation of NLDN Lightning Sensors

Δ – IMPACT sensors

Ο – LPATS sensorsImage © NLDN, Global Atmospherics, Inc.

Central Processor & Display Central Processor & Display Software ComponentSoftware Component

Images © NLDN, Global Atmospherics, Inc.

•LTraX ® - real-time lightning tracking software for Windows ®

•StormTraX ™ - Unix ®-based lightning tracking display software

•VIS ™ - Video Information System – DOS based lightning display software

•LP Series - Computes lightning location from raw sensor data & monitors sensor status

•DA 2000 ™ (Distribution and Archive) - Receives real-time lightning data from LP Series

•NM 2000 ™ (Network Management Module) – Verifies network performance

Putting It All Together…Putting It All Together…

• Step 1: Sensors transmit lightning data to satellite

• Step 2: Satellite relays information to earth station

• Step 3: Data is transmitted via land-lines

• Step 4: NCC processes data• Step 5: Processed data is

relayed back to satellite• Step 6: Lightning data is

played within seconds of occurrence

Image © NLDN, Global Atmospherics, Inc.

……For Storms Like ThisFor Storms Like This

“Big Strike” © Michael Fewings

Who Uses NLDN Data?Who Uses NLDN Data?

• National Weather Service (NWS)

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• The Weather Channel ®• PGA Tour ®• Major Power Companies• International and regional

airports• Thousands of businesses

nationwideLightning over OKC © Gene Moore

Safety FirstSafety First

• There is no reason to be caught off guard by a thunderstorm

• Outdoor sports + Thunderstorms = Deadly Combination• Get: out of the water, out of open spaces, away from trees• Unplug expensive electronics• Avoid corded telephones• Wait to use plumbing• Stay away from windows• Don’t let being uninformed jeopardize being safe.

“Anvil Crawlers” silhouette the skyline of downtown Dallas. © Samuel D. Barricklow

Image © The Weather Prediction

Resources (Information & Photo)Resources (Information & Photo)

• Ahrens, C. Donald. “Meteorology Today.” Brooks/Cole Publishing, 2000 Ed. Page 401. May 4, 2003.

• Barricklow, Samuel D. Storm Chase Homepage. May 3, 2003. http://www.k5kj.net/010614/01061401.jpg

• Cummins K.L., Krider, E. Philip, Malone, Mark D., "The U.S. National Lightning Detection Network® and Applications of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Data by Electric Power Utilities", IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 40, No. 4, November 1998.

• Cummins K.L., Murphy, M.J., Bardo, E.A., Hiscox W.L., Pyle R.B., and Pifer A.E., "A combined TOA/MDF technology upgrade of the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network", J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 103, No. D8, Pages 9035-9044, April 27, 1998.

• Fewings, Michael. Strike One. October 13, 2002. http://strikeone.com.au/• Global Atmospherics, Inc. Lightning Storm.com. May 4, 2003.

http://www.lightningstorm.com

Resources (Continued)Resources (Continued)

• Kiesling, Douglas. Lightning Boy. April 24, 1997. http://www.lightningboy.com/images/Lightning/1938 _IMG0004g.htm (opening background)

• Krythan, Tim. Tim’s Page of Weather Stuff. June 15, 2001. http://www.geocities.com/stormchsr77/Mam1.jpg (slide background)

• Moore, Gene. Chase Day. May 4, 2003. http://www.chaseday.com/chaseday5.htm

• Murphy, M.J., Cummins, K.L., "Early Detection and Warning of Cloud-to-ground Lightning at a Point of Intererst", 80th American

Meteorological Society Meeting, Long Beach, CA, January 8-14, 2000.• The Weather Prediction. Weather Prediction Education. May 4, 2003.

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/humor/set2/index.html