NWS Use of Near Real-Time Lightning Data from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the International Space Station (ISS)

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the the International Space Station (ISS) continuously observes the amount, rate, and radiant energy of lightning within its field-of-view as it orbits the Earth. The coverage extends to 55 degrees latitude with a latency < 1 min (https://lightning.nsstc.nasa.gov/isslisib/isslisnrt.html), and thus provides complementary observations towards the edge and outside the field of view of NOAA’s GOES-16/17 Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM). Therefore, placing ISS-LIS on the Space Station serves to extend the 17-year TRMM record of tropical lightning measurements but also to expand that coverage to higher latitudes missed by the previous mission. One of the unique contributions provided for the first time from LIS will be the capability to transmit and disseminate lightning data in near real-time, especially for operational applications in data sparse regions such as over ocean regions to contribute to storm warnings, nowcasts, oceanic aviation and international Significant Meteorological advisories (SIGMETs). The near real-time LIS data is provided to interested users in partnership with both NASA’s Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE) project and the Short Term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) center. In this presentation we highlight the use of LIS at the National Weather Service (NWS) Pacific Region, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Ocean Prediction Center, Aviation Weather Center, and National Hurricane Center.