The Observatory provides lightning nowcasting service to corporate clients

21 October 2011

Lightning Nowcasting is a weather information product developed by the Hong Kong Observatory to assist specialised users to assess if early preventive actions are required for operations that are susceptible to the threat of lightning With the use of radar and lightning observation data and sophisticated algorithms, the system automatically provides forecasts of the total number of lightning strikes in an hour in user-defined areas in Hong Kong and the lightning locations on a map, up to two hours ahead. Visual, audio and email alerts will be activated when the lightning number in any one of the pre-defined regions exceeds the threshold.

China Light & Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP), the first user of the product, uses Lightning Nowcasting for its lightning alert function. Mr. Bruce Chan of CLP said, "By having the alert service, we could mobilize our operation and emergency team early, and expedite power restoration in case any equipment fails due to lightning. At the same time, the lightning information could facilitate CLP to dispatch the emergency crew more safely and efficiently."

Lightning Nowcasting is now available as an add-on in the Weather Information SErver (WISE) for corporate clients.

"Lightning Nowcasting" webpage showing actual and forecast regional numbers of lightning strikes in an hour.