Use of Total Lightning Data at

David Hotz and Anthony CavallucciNational Weather Service, Knoxville/Tri-Cities, Tennessee

Geoffrey StanoENSCO/SPoRT, Huntsville, Alabama

Tony Reavley Director of Emergency Services & Homeland Security

Hamilton County, Tennessee

March 2014

Cloud-to-ground strike locations from the United States Precision Lightning Network (USPLN)

Common Depictions of Common Depictions of LightningLightning

The Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) observes the individual stepped leaders of the entire flash, also called sources

Observes flashes not detected by the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN)

Observes intra-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning

• Related to the strength of storm

Advantages of Total Advantages of Total LightningLightning

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31 Individual Storms

Cloud-to-Ground Strikes Inter-Cloud

Flashes

NALMA Domain

No CoveragePartial Coverage

MRX Full Coverage

What is this?Based off the local North

Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NALMA)

Demonstrates a future weather instrument – The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (~2016)

Displays the number of flashes in 8-km grid boxes

Available every 2 minutesOpportunity for EMA to

learn of a new capability and shape its use

The Pseudo-Geostationary Lightning The Pseudo-Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) ProductMapper (GLM) Product

Pseudo-GLM centered on Chattanooga

This is a collaboration project between ENSCO/SPoRT, NWS Morristown, Tennessee and Hamilton County, Tennessee EMA to evaluate the usefulness of using LMA data at the local Emergency Management (EM) level for public safety.

The local EM will have access to the latest LMA output to aid in public safety decisions. We will stress to the EM that the total lightning data is experimental and should be used in conjunction with other preparedness tools, such as the doppler radar.

Before and during the project, ENSCO/SPoRT and NWS will provide training to the local EM on the best ways to evaluate the total lightning data.

NASA SPoRT has developed on-line access to the total lightning data. The link is the following:

http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sport/goesrpg/pglm/pgnaFED_CHACentered.html

The internet access is a Google Earth page. The page will overlay the data over Google Earth allowing you to zoom in and out of the area of interest.

Example Output of Total Lightning Data

How to Read the Data

Data is updated every 2 minutes.

Flash Density Scale:

Measures the number of cloud to ground and cloud to cloud lightning strikes during the last 2 minutes. Resolution 8 km

Flash Density Data on July 11th, 2013 between 0209 UTC

Outside Sport Activities

Decision Support Services

Outside Summer Events

Question 1: Have you found the Total Lightning data to be useful for operations?

I have used the lightning data numerous times and have found it to provide some very valuable information.

Question 2: If so, what ways have you utilized the Total Lightning data. Please give specific case examples (such as during a baseball game or outside venue)

I have used the data from the lightning information at an outdoor venue locally. This one lasts 9 days and data were used to compare with what local weather forecasters were predicting. This event has an attendance of 75,000 to 90,000 nightly depending upon the entertainer(s). I have also used it at a recent football practice to assist the coaches in determining whether to cancel practice or not. The data were used to determine if the storm cell was weakening or strengthening. The data were accurate as I interpreted it. It was also used on a recent fuel spill involving diesel to alert responders of safety concerns associated with the storm.

Question 3: What ways can the Total Lightning display on the computer be improved?

Have it loop so that possible tracks of the storm can be planned.

Question 4: How can we improve the training on the Total Lightning data, and how to best utilize the computer display?

Training can be improved to the end user such as myself by making it easier accessible by utilizing one or two computer clicks to get to the information.

Question 5: Do you have any other comments about Total Lightning information?

I appreciate the opportunity to have experienced the test version and to be able to provide input from the responder view. This is another tool that is in my toolbox, I just need to get more comfortable with its capabilities, so that I can better use it.

The evaluation of the total lightning data at the Emergency Management (EM) level will continue into 2014. We will be seeking ways to improve the display of the pseudo GLM lightning data. Additional refresher training on the best ways to utilize the data will continue as well. We plan on utilizing previous events as a tool to improve usage of the lightning data.

EM, the NWS and SPoRT will work together to determine the most effective ways to integrate these future observations to improve lightning safety.