Weather service company AccuWeather has taken over TOA Systems.
AccuWeather Introduces Cutting-Edge Global Lightning Detection Network
AccuWeather, a leading global weather forecasting company, has announced the launch of its new AccuWeather Lightning Network following its acquisition of TOA Systems. This network offers real-time lightning detection services with unprecedented detail, aiming to keep people safer and businesses, property, and assets better protected.
The AccuWeather Lightning Network boasts highly accurate pinpointing of lightning strikes globally, providing detailed event parameters that enhance weather prediction and hazard assessment. Key features include global coverage with real-time detection, detailed lightning event data, integration of data streams and analytics, and enhanced wildfire risk assessment.
With this network, users can expect improved safety and operational decisions for utilities, aviation, and outdoor activities through faster and more accurate lightning alerts. The system also supports wildfire prevention by focusing on high-risk lightning strikes, enabling emergency responders to prioritize areas for early warnings and targeted inspections.
Moreover, the network offers benefits for the renewable energy sector, as lightning data integrated with turbine monitoring systems help detect upward and downward lightning strikes, enabling timely inspection and mitigation of damage. Additionally, the detailed spatial and temporal lightning data provided by the network can enhance meteorological research and forecasting, improving storm tracking, warning accuracy, and climate studies.
The new network marks a significant step beyond traditional lightning detection networks that primarily relied on ground-based sensors with coarser location precision. It combines satellite data, advanced sensor arrays, and sophisticated analytics to redefine global lightning monitoring.
The network will be integrated into AccuWeather's digital platforms, including AccuWeather.com and mobile apps, providing real-time lightning alerts, detailed risk analysis, and safety recommendations for specific locations. The data will also be available via AccuWeather's APIs and Data Marketplaces.
The agricultural sector, which often experiences substantial financial losses due to lightning-induced wildfires and damage to crops and livestock, is expected to benefit significantly from this new network. On a global scale, lightning is estimated to cause more than 10,000 lives lost each year, and in the U.S., lightning causes an average of 20 to 30 fatalities and over 200 injuries annually.
In the U.S., lightning causes an estimated $1 billion in total economic loss each year due to property damage, forest fire spread, and infrastructure disruptions. Power outages resulting from lightning strikes disrupt businesses, leading to economic losses in productivity. The cost to insurance companies rises due to lightning damage, driving up premiums for affected homeowners and businesses.
The deal was closed in December, and the integration of TOA's advanced lightning detection systems with AccuWeather's proprietary forecasting technology has created a comprehensive global lightning detection network. This network is set to revolutionise weather forecasting and risk management, offering unparalleled precision and detail in lightning detection services.
[1] Fire Neural Network [2] NOAA’s geostationary lightning mappers [3] AccuWeather [4] TOA Systems
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