|
| www.isleofwightweather.co.uk - Leading UK Lightning Activity and Sferics |
|
Here we present live storm data and sferics generated by data recorded by our weather station at Newport, Isle of Wight. This is recorded in real time using a Boltek Storm Tracker PCI lightning detector, and we are currently using Astrogenic Systems NexStorm 1.7.0.2612 Public, Astrogenic Systems StormVue 1.54XE, and Astrogenic Systems TSentry 1.0 software applications. We are able to generate the following detailed plotting of storms around Western Europe, with the map centered on the Isle of Wight. Our data is shared with the StrikeStar EU Networked Lightning Locator System, and the Blitzortung Lightning Tracker System.
The Boltek PCI StormTracker works by detecting the radio signals produced by lightning. These are the same signals you can hear on an AM radio during a thunderstorm. The Boltek PCI StormTracker's direction-finding antenna provides direction information while storm distance is calculated from received signal strength. Special processing in software reduces the effects of strike-to-strike energy variations providing more accurate distance information.
Our station is one of the leading Storm Detection Systems in the UK, and the most used Thunderstorm Information Portal in the South of England, with our data comparing very well with all the official Storm Detection / StrikeStar EU Network / Blitzortung / UK StrikeStar Network / Sferics / Lightning Detectors / Boltek StormTrackers in the UK and Europe. Our data is uploaded every minute, with a screenshot as well as the StormVue Java applet.
When tracking UK Thunderstorms, it seems that if there is a storm in close proximity to our detector, generating very strong signals, and there is a weaker storm further away, but on a similar bearing as the close one, the further storm may not be correctly identified. This seems to be a slight limitation to the system we use. Some detectors out there do seem to struggle to even get the direction correct, let alone the distance, but we do try to be as accurate as we possibly can be.
Our equipment will soon be boosted by the addition of a Boltek EFM-100 Atmospheric Electric Field Monitor. More details to follow.
2013 was again, quite time, but lets hope our new Boltek Detector will bring more activity during 2014.
Please make sure JavaScript is enabled to view the data recorded from the thunderstorm and lightning detection equipment we use.
| Current UK Lightning and Thunderstorm activity | ||||||||||||||||
|
At the beginning of August 2014 we upgraded to an even faster dedicated server, with a faster data connection to improve our free service. If you have fun when you are watching, please feel free to make a small donation to help us keep StormVue and TSentry running. | ||||||||||||||||
| NexStorm strike density plot of UK Thunderstorms currently under observation | ||||||||||||||||
|
The above image has an auto range facility, which will zoom in to the closest thunderstorm to the yellow cross situated in the middle of the map, which is the location of our system. The red circle has a 16 mile radius, which allows us to distinguish Close Lightning Strikes. Use the StormVue map to find types of lightning strikes occurring, then use the density plot to see where the thunderstorms are. |
||||||||||||||||
| We share our data with the WASP2 community based lightning detection network | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Isle of Wight Weather Satellite Images | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| TRAC Report of thunderstorms currently under observation | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Key to types of lightning recorded | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Analysis of recorded lightning and thunderstorm data across the United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||
|
Click the above image to view tabular data generated from the archived data files collected by our Astrogenic NexStorm Software. These tables are created automatically using discharge V1.10 software written by Daniël van Os. |
||||||||||||||||
| Join the Isle of Wight Weather TSentry Thunderstorm Alert List | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Astrogenic Systems StrikeStar EU lightning detection network | ||||||||||||||||
|
The Isle of Wight Weather Station is a member of the StrikeStar EU community based lightning detection network. Data is uploaded to a central server, and triangulated with data from other members of the community to increase the accuracy of plotted data. Click on the logo above to see that data. |
||||||||||||||||
| Disclaimer | ||||||||||||||||
|
Although we strive to get accurate data, this lightning data is only approximate and should not be used for safety applications. Strike and storm locations indicated and alarm statuses are as accurate as possible, but may be erroneous and should not be used to safeguard personnel, equipment or data. |
| Cloud to ground lightning Cloud-to-ground lightning is the most damaging and dangerous form of lightning. It is not the most common type, but it is the one that is best understood. Most cloud-to-ground lightning strikes come from the negatively charged bottom of the cloud traveling to the positively charged ground below. Some cloud-to-ground lightning strikes deliver positive charges to the ground. Positive strikes are less common and come from the higher regions of the thundercloud. Often, cloud-to-ground lightning bolts strike the highest object, like the top of a building or the top of a tall tree. The lightning strikes can cause fire and property damage. If a person is the highest object in the lightning bolt's path, the lightning may strike the person. Lightning strikes can cause severe injury or death. Cloud-to-ground lightning is the best understood type of lightning because it leaves so much evidence behind.
In cloud lightning |
|
|
