Lightning Archive Services lets organizations quickly validate strikes
The Weather Network launched an archive of lightning strike data. The Canadian owned and operated service is an extension of the Pelmorex Lightning Detection Network (PLDN) and will provide organizations across Canada the ability to validate historical lightning strikes with pinpoint accuracy. Organizations can now authenticate lightning strikes as the possible cause of forest fires, power outages or damage to assets.
The PLDN has been operational since 2007 and now consists of 71 sensors located across Canada and the Northern United States. The PLDN state-of-the-art Precision Lightning Sensor (PLS) technology utilizes GPS timing precision to accurately pinpoint the location of lightning strikes across Canada.
Below are some statistics on the agricultural and property damage caused by lightning in Canada:
- Approximately 2.7 million lightning flashes occur each year and cause over 4,000 forest fires annually, along with numerous power outages. (Source: Environment Canada)
- Aggregated annual lightning-related damage and disruption costs range from $600 million to $1 billion. Forestry and electricity damages accounted for over 85% of that total. (Source: Mills et al. 2009)
- Lightning is responsible for more than $5 billion in total insurance industry losses annually. (Source: Hartford Insurance Co.)
- Fires caused by lightning represent 45% of all forest fires and represent 81% of total area burned, the average fire suppression costs are $500 million to $1 billion annually. (Source: Natural Resources Canada)
“The expansion of the PLDN to include archive data is a valuable addition to our services for existing energy and forestry management customers,” said Bruce Caven, Vice President of Commercial Services at Pelmorex Media, parent company of The Weather Network & MétéoMédia. “And it will be just as beneficial to new clients in such fields as insurance and fire investigation. The archive launch clearly reinforces our commitment to providing best in class weather-related services for industry across Canada.”
