• Faster Identification and Inspection: Enables quicker identification and more effective inspection of potentially damaged areas or areas where a fire might have started.
• Warning Alerts: Provides alerts indicating serious damage to infrastructure.
• Early Intervention: Facilitates early intervention to prevent further damage.
• Cost Reduction: Helps prioritize post-storm inspections, reducing costs by focusing on likely damaged assets and infrastructure.

Vaisala’s Continuing Current Dataset is designed to identify destructive lightning strikes, particularly those with continuing current, which are more likely to ignite wildfires, damage wind turbine blades, and cause extreme heating damage to transmission networks. This dataset is available in near real-time from the US National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and Vaisala's global network, GLD360.

The dataset combines high-accuracy lightning data from Vaisala’s ground-based networks with data from NOAA’s satellite-borne lightning mapping sensors on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites. Lightning strokes with continuing current can last much longer than normal strokes, transferring significantly more electric charge and causing substantial damage.

The Continuing Current Dataset is available over the USA, Mexico, and most South American countries, determined by access to satellite-borne lightning sensors. The NOAA GOES satellites cover from 52°N to 52°S, from Canada’s southern border to Argentina’s southern tip.

• Dependable Technology: Vaisala has over 30 years of experience in providing trusted lightning data for critical decision-making.
• Trusted Solutions: Vaisala supports operations globally, offering both network operation and lightning data services. Meteorological agencies worldwide rely on Vaisala for improved forecasts and severe weather warnings.

• Coverage Extent: USA
• Continuing Current Identification: Yes
• Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Detection: Efficiency >95%, with a median stroke location accuracy of <150m.
• Lightning Type Classification Accuracy: 90%
• Data Latency: ~75 seconds with continuing current, <15 seconds without.
• Real-time Streaming: Secure and robust options available, including SSH Port Redirect and Hardware VPN.

Images from a 24-hour period in 2019 show lightning across northern California, demonstrating the implementation of the Continuing Current Dataset to identify potential problems. The map sequence filters out cloud lightning events, leaving only cloud-to-ground events with continuing current.