Live Lightning Website!

[Boris Konon]

And you can use Google Maps for zoom up anywhere you want for this data.
http://www.blitzortung.org/Webpages/index.php?lang=en&page_0=30
http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en

Here is an article on this site.
http://thevane.gawker.com/blitzortung-is-one-of-the-best-most-mesmerizing-websit-1589722466

 

[Dan Robinson]

Interesting - I'm curious what the data source is. Realtime NLDN data has always been locked down to subscription-only access with a no-redistribution policy, without exception. If these sites have somehow negotiated public access from NLDN, or have their own network of sensors, that would be a very good thing for chasing.

EDIT - just did some more background reading on this - it's a grassroots open source project. Very cool!

http://www.blitzortung.org/Webpages/index.php?lang=en&page=3

 

[Todd Rector]

Hooray for Open Source!
Now if we could just find a good radar program for Linux....

 

[rdale]

Has anyone done a comparison with one of the pay sites? Or real-world (i.e. seeing the strikes in person versus plot)

 

[Greg Campbell]

Good! Vaisala has long been in need of a stake through the heart!

 

[James Hyde]

Has anyone done a comparison with one of the pay sites? Or real-world (i.e. seeing the strikes in person versus plot)

I know there has been confirmed studies of this network being accurate below 1km in Europe. However, they have like 300-500 stations active at one time. The US only has like 15 or so right now. I have personally (non-scientifically) compared the two with the WxBug network via AllisonHouse and found that it's accurate (1-5 mi) in the strikes that it picks up. The drawback right now in the network is that it is only picking up the strongest strikes, it's missing a lot of the low powered strikes. The solution for that though is just more stations. The europe area of this network picks up nearly every strike.

I've been monitoring the progress for the network for sometime but never got a station due to the level of electrical engineering that it requires to build the boards. (Meaning I have zero, and it requires more than that )
http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?board=115.0

 

[Dan Robinson]

I fear the next obstacle for this new network will be the patent infringement letter they'll probably be getting for operating in the US. There's probably a reason there hasn't ever been a competitor to NLDN on the scene (to my knowledge anyway). If so, I'm afraid they won't fare as well as Spotter Network did with their situation.

 

[rdale]

ENTLN is a very strong competitor to NLDN.

The reason this hasn't exploded in the US is that the price for NLDN & ENTLN are very cheap, especially these last few years. People aren't prone to building their own network that costs more (in the short term) and is less reliable in the hopes that others will join too and make it better.

 

[John Hudson]

It is becoming quite cheap to build your own decent lightning detection unit, since Austrian Microsystems came out with their detector chip, which from most accounts works quite well. Throw in a prototypingboard with a decent MCU on it (Arduino could work), and they are easy to network.

Don't know if NLDN's monopoly on lightning data will be in immediate jeopardy, but if I were them I'd certainly be looking over my shoulder. It is so easy to manufacture boards now that the hardware at least is becoming much more affordable. Thunderbolt detectors at almost $ 400.00 a pop are probably going to be a harder sell in the near future.

detector chip: http://ca.mouser.com/new/ams/ams-AS3935/

John
VE4 JTH

 

[rdale]

Since there are theee large groups in the US I'm not sure that fits the definition of a monopoly

ENTLN and USPLN/NAPLN and NLDN are from different sources.

 

[John Hudson]

Since there are theee large groups in the US I'm not sure that fits the definition of a monopoly

ENTLN and USPLN/NAPLN and NLDN are from different sources.

Thanks for clearing that up. Don't know why I keep thinking they're the only game in town.

John

 

[MClarkson]

Tested http://www.blitzortung.org/ just now as an average thunderstorm popped up over Blacksburg, VA. It correlates well with personal observations. The delay looks like its about 5 minutes, maybe 10. Good. I like it.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Works pretty well. I had it running yesterday morning when a storm went nuts right south of home - the display lit up accordingly.

 

[rdale]

That's too bad. I wonder why it's so long?

 

[Tarmo Tanilsoo]

Maybe something with computer? I the other day monitored the lightnings with AM radio and Blitzortung simultaneously and as soon as there was a crackle, generally a dot went up on the map within a few seconds. Of course I am in Estonia.