Derived from the United States Precision Lightning Network (USPLN), WDT routinely provides lightning stroke data which include the date, time, latitude and longitude of occurrence as well as amplitude and polarity for each identified stroke. Updated every 60 seconds, USPLN lightning stroke data are available in both csv and point shapefile formats. Hence, the USPLN lightning stroke data may be integrated with other GIS-compatible datasets and displayed in commonly used GIS platforms such as ESRI ArcGIS/ArcView.

As part of the Lightning Prediction Algorithm (LPA), WDT routinely integrates USPLN cloud-to-ground lightning data with forecasts of storm reflectivity motion and magnitude in realtime to determine those areas likely to be impacted by cloud-to-ground lightning within the next 60 minutes. LPA is currently used in lightning-sensitive industries to monitor the presence and likelihood of cloud-to-ground lightning to make critical decisions regarding patron or personnel safety as well as potential impacts regarding facility assets and volatile materials. The LPA output are also produced in shapefile format for display and interrogation in ESRI ArcGIS/ArcView



Now available via LDM or HTTP
•    USPLN lightning detections
•    Lightning threat predictions
•    Archived lightning