A Lightning Mapping Array in Southern Ontario, Canada, and Uses for Severe Weather Nowcasting

A Lightning Mapping Array designed and built by LMA Technologies LLC was implemented in the vicinity of Toronto, Ontario, as a research testbed for Environment Canada (EC) in the spring of 2014. This lightning system, used in several locations in the United States and internationally, provides high-accuracy 3D total lightning data that can be used for severe weather nowcasting, validation of lightning detection and prediction technologies, and basic lightning research. The EC system is composed of 14 ground stations and a central processing computer. Anticipated EC initiatives include employing LMA data in the MetObject-oriented severe weather nowcasting prototype known as iCAST and comparing LMA data with data from the Canadian Lightning Detection Network, used operationally at EC. The status of the system and preliminary results will be presented.