FAQ
Learn more about the United States and North American Precision Lightning Networks.
The USPLN (United States Precision Lightning Network) was created in 2004, and consists of about 100 lightning stroke detection sensors placed throughout the continental United States, along with the data processing and distribution system. Sensors are between 150 and 300 miles apart, forming a very dense network throughout the 48 states. This is the original network that has been providing data to customers.
The USPLN has been augmented with additional sensors outside of the continental United States to form the North American Precision Lightning Network (NAPLN). Therefeore, the USPLN is now a subset of the NAPLN. There are currently over 25 new sensors located throughout Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, increasing the geographic extent of coverage, with additional sensors planned. Distances range between 300 and 800 miles.
Location accuracy and detection efficiency metrics for the USPLN are < 250 meters and > 95%, respectively. This covers the continental US and approximately 300 miles offshore.
These metrics are the same for the NAPLN over the continent, but the additional sensor coverage in the NAPLN provides location accuracy < 500 meters and detection efficiency > 90% for most of the extended geographic areas.
For specific details regarding metrics for a region of interest, email USPLN Sales.
Pricing of lightning data depends on a number of factors: the size and location of the geographic area of interest (square miles/kilometers), latency and update rate (real-time data feed, delayed by 15 minutes with a 5 minute update rate), delivered data format (binary stream, text or XML files, graphics), ability to archive files, and more.
Therefore, requests for pricing are handled individually to ensure the most accurate match to requirements. For pricing information or a quotation, email USPLN Sales. Please include as much of the above detail as possible.
The best description of the various data delivery and format types can be found on our
Lightning Data Products and Services page and in the
USPLN Lightning Data Format and Delivery document. Formats and delivery are the same for the USPLN and NAPLN.
Archives of past USPLN lightning data are available from 2004 to current. Data can be obtained as text files for large or small areas, or in a custom format verification report (
Sample Lightning Verification Report).
For more information or a quotation, email USPLN Sales
File size obviously depends on the geographic area and time span of interest, amount of lightning activity, data parameters included, and file format. For instance, a comma separated variable (.csv) file of CONUS for one week in August is over 150 MB. The comparable file for a week in February is approximately 80 MB. Files covering most of Florida (25N to 30N, 80W to 83.7W) are 13 MB and 8 KB for August and February respectively.
