Lightning Map

[Taffycat]

The great British summer has begun, and naturally, we have been promised thunderstorms, as the temperature rises! So, if anyone is interested in knowing where lightning might be about to strike, here is a Real-Time-Lightning-Map for you to peruse!

 

[TriplexDread]

How on earth can you predict where lightning is about to strike?

 

[muckshifter]

I like that map.

How on earth can you predict where lightning is about to strike?

F = h / E * P * CAPE

F is the lightning flash rate per area, P is the precipitation rate, and CAPE is the area's "convective available potential energy," a measure that's pretty commonly used in meteorology. It's basically a measure of atmospheric instability (useful for determining when bad weather is going to hit, which makes sense), and it's a measure of how buoyant the air is ... that is, how fast it can be sucked up into the upper atmosphere.

The h over E is the "constant of proportionality" and because it doesn't change no need to worry about it.

 

[TriplexDread]

As long as none of it hits my house its fine

 

[nivrip]

F = h / E * P * CAPE

Looks like some thing Einstein would have come up with.

 

[bootneck02]

Well we were promised thunder storms with heavy rain and lightening by the Met Office and all we got was 3 claps of thunder and 1/2 dozen rain drops, it was a good thing the good lady watered the garden last night.