The first lightning sensor in Estonia was installed in Tartu in the territory of the Tőravere weather station. Everyone interested in the sensor and its functions are welcome to see it at the Tőravere Meteorological Station on 22 July at 11:00 AM. The lightning surveillance system of the weather service shows lightning occurrences and the power and number of lightning strikes in the entire territory of Estonia and in even more distant locations practically in real time. The Estonian Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (EMHI) started to implement the lightning surveillance system in cooperation with the Finnish weather service already a couple of years ago. So far, the only clients have been subdivisions of Eesti Energia (Estonian energy company), but EMHI is ready to share the information with everyone interested in lightning. In order to obtain the information, it is necessary to have the Internet connection and a password provided by the weather service. (For more detailed information see www.emhi.ee) The lightning sensor is necessary in order to determine the location of lightning strikes and other lightning characteristics more precisely. The sensor works in the same network with the lightning sensors of the Finnish weather service and the data are processed by the server of the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Now that the weather service can use the help of lightning surveillance, lightning will now more come “out of the blue” – it is now possible to give prompt information about the movement of lightning clouds and the location and number of lightning strikes. This will enable to better arrange the repair work of lines and masts so that when a thunderstorm comes, the workers are not high on the mast and the necessary repairs can be done in the shortest possible time. Furthermore, lightning surveillance allows preparing reserve supply systems on time and continuing the production process despite line damage. Just one power failure caused by lightning can be more costly than the entire lightning surveillance system. The lightning sensor and its possibilities can be seen at the Tőravere Meteorological station on 22 July at 11:00. You are all welcome to participate. Further information: Jaan Saar Mart Siilivask |
