Lightning Data

Data Description

Unidata is pleased to facilitate the offering of lightning stroke data from several sources to universities for research and educational purposes. All data are delivered via Unidata's Local Data Manager (LDM) software on a direct, point-to-point connection basis. Data are made available to universities at no cost.

Lightning stroke data is collected by sensor networks owned by WSI Corporation and Vaisala. Both companies make the data available to registered research and educational institutions with several stipulations, including the restriction that the data will not be retransmitted or used in for-profit enterprises.

Data Sources

The following data sources are available:

• North American Precision Lightning Network (NAPLN)
  NAPLN data are collected by sensors in North America.
  NAPLN data are made available by WSI Corporation
• Global Lightning Network (GLN)
  GLN data are collected by sensors located at more than 150 international hosting sites outside North America. Data from these sensors are merged with the data from North American sensors to provide global coverage.
  GLN data are made available by WSI Corporation
• National Lightning Data Network (NLDN)
  NLDN data are collected by sensors in North America
  NDLN data are made available by Vaisala and the University at Albany (SUNY-Albany)

Data Capabilities

R = Restricted: Data cannot be served past one's own insitution. Please see the guidelines regarding the access and use of lightning data.

*See a complete list of LDM feed types

Questions About Lightning Data?

Questions or comments about lightning data can be sent to: support@unidata.ucar.edu