The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States has been tracking lightning in North and South America since 2017, using the Geostationary Lightning Mapper aboard the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, known as GOES.
“We are able to detect even a single lightning bolt, while GOES can detect only a group of events.
And in terms of energy, we can detect weaker lightning strikes.”The data from the imager will be useful in weather prediction, said Carlo Simoncelli, a program manager at Leonardo.
Lightning is associated with tornadoes, and there is a large increase in lightning that remains within clouds about a half-hour before a tornado.
“But if you look at lightning reflecting over the ocean or just during the daytime, it’s much more difficult.”
Persons:
”, Leonardo S.p.A, Carlo Simoncelli, Leonardo, Lightning, Simoncelli, “, Ms, Pastorini
Organizations:
Oceanographic, Atmospheric Administration, Environmental
Locations:
United States, North, South America, Europe, Africa