Understanding Real-Time Lightning Tracking with Thunderstorm Tracker

Real-time lightning tracking is a crucial tool for monitoring weather patterns and predicting thunderstorms. Two popular tools used for this purpose are Thunderstorm Tracker and radar images. While both provide valuable information, they differ in their approach and presentation.

One of the main differences between the two is the way they represent thunderstorms on the map. Radar images display storms as a series of pixels or colors indicating intensity and direction, whereas Thunderstorm Tracker uses ovals to represent areas of potential thunderstorm activity. The arrows on the Thunderstorm Tracker map show the direction that the storms are heading, with three curves ahead of each oval indicating its expected position in 10, 20, and 30 minutes.

Another key difference is the way storms are tracked. Radar images can display multiple storms moving in different directions, which may be due to the storms being in different stages of development or having different motion patterns. Thunderstorm Tracker, on the other hand, represents a cluster of storms in the same area as a single oval, making it easier to track their movement.

The size of thunderstorms is also an important consideration. On radar images, storms may appear larger than others due to their distance from the radar station or the intensity of the rain shower. Thunderstorm Tracker takes this into account by using different sizes and shapes to represent the storms' intensity and position.

So, how often is Thunderstorm Tracker updated? The answer is every 6 minutes, with new radar data providing a real-time snapshot of weather patterns in South East Queensland.

But what about access to this valuable information? Thunderstorm Tracker is available only to specific registered users, including Emergency Management agencies. These agencies can use the data for internal purposes only and must not make it available to anyone else without prior approval from the Bureau. Additionally, if an agency displays the lightning data in any internal material, they must include an attribution to 'The Weatherzone Total Lightning Network' in the relevant page or view.

In conclusion, real-time lightning tracking is a powerful tool for monitoring weather patterns and predicting thunderstorms. By understanding the differences between Thunderstorm Tracker and radar images, we can better appreciate the value of this information and use it effectively to stay safe during severe weather events.

Real time lightning tracker