Lightning: Tools to Keep Sporting Events Safe
In the weather and sports world, particularly youth sports, lightning is a major threat. Lightning kills and when it is nearby, clearing the field of play should be the priority as it is not worth the risk of something bad happening. Unfortunately, after years of communicating the risk, players, coaches, referees and parents make the decision to keep playing during thunderstorms. The National Weather Service reports that there is an average of 93 deaths per year in the US, and an additional 300 injuries, from lightning strikes.
Data exists for decision makers to determine when it is safe and when it is not. In the US, there are at least two lightning detection networks that detect both cloud-to-ground lightning strikes as well as inter-cloud and cloud-to-cloud lightning. The data are sold to weather companies and to end users of the data. Additionally, there are numerous companies that tout lightning detection equipment for a localized area.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has developed a policy for lightning with respect to outdoor athletics. The field of play is to be cleared when lightning has occurred within 8 miles of the field and is to remain cleared for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike. This policy has been adopted by many youth sports organizations. Unfortunately, the policies are not adhered to routinely. I have witnessed that the policy is followed when it comes to tournaments and games. However, it is ignored for less formal situations, like practice or training sessions. Organizations need to have policies in place for all situations, but also need tools to keep all activities equally safe.
WDT provides lightning strike information in several methods/tools. Our WeatherRadio app shows lightning strikes on a map and also can alert within a range ring around a location. Radarscope has a visual representation of where lightning is striking. WeatherOps Commander, and the associated WeatherOps app, shows the strikes visually and also alerts. Finally, developers to integrate lightning information into their products using a data feed via SkyWise.
WDT can help keep people safe with good and timely information, but good decisions still need to be made to close the loop on a good result. If you work with sporting events, try one of the tools we have and see how it can help you out.
