초록 ▼

The invention provides a system and method for predicting areas where lightning strikes are likely to occur by evaluating radar and temperature data. Radar volume data is analyzed to locate cloud tops that extend above a height corresponding to a temperature line of about -10.degree. C. Areas where

The invention provides a system and method for predicting areas where lightning strikes are likely to occur by evaluating radar and temperature data. Radar volume data is analyzed to locate cloud tops that extend above a height corresponding to a temperature line of about -10.degree. C. Areas where cloud tops extend above the height of the -10.degree. C. line and that have a radar composite reflectivity greater than 30 dBZ are designated as probable lightning threat areas. Radar movement is tracked across at least two time periods, and a correlation algorithm predicts the future location of lightning threat areas at predetermined time periods (e.g., 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes) based on predicted radar values. A computer display shows the predicted location of the lightning threat areas for the future time periods. In one variation, selected structures or areas (e.g., power lines, factories, or the like) are superimposed on a computer display with predicted lightning threat areas to illustrate where lightning damage is likely to occur.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A computer-implemented method of predicting future lightning activity, comprising the steps of:(1) receiving cloud height data indicating heights of cloud formations over a geographic region; (2) comparing the data received in step (1) with a measured height value corresponding to a height at whi

1. A computer-implemented method of predicting future lightning activity, comprising the steps of:(1) receiving cloud height data indicating heights of cloud formations over a geographic region; (2) comparing the data received in step (1) with a measured height value corresponding to a height at which a predetermined temperature line occurs; (3) identifying those portions of the geographic region having cloud heights that extend above the measured height value and that exhibit a composite radar reflectivity value greater than a predetermined reflectivity value; and (4) displaying the portions identified in step (3) on a computer display as lightning threat areas.