Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Vaisala National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) Flash Data (Restricted)

NLDN

The National Lightning Detection Network, NLDN, consists of over 100 remote, ground-based sensing stations located across the United States that instantaneously detect the electromagnetic signals given off when lightning strikes the earth's surface. These remote sensors send the raw data via a satellite-based communications network to the Network Control Center (NCC) operated by Vaisala Inc. in Tucson, Arizona. Within seconds of a lightning strike, the NCC's central analyzers process information on the location, time, polarity, and communicated to users across the country. Through a partnership with Vaisala and cooperative effort with the U.S. Air Force 14th Weather Squadron, summarized daily files from 1986 to present are archived to be at the NOAA National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). Through a contract with Vaisala, the raw data from NCEI is available only to government and military users.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 9603_02
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00989
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00989
Full Text · XML
Other Access
  • NCEI Customer Support (offlineAccess)
    Data in this archival information package are not currently available for public download from NCEI. Please contact NCEI Information Services. Through a contract with Vaisala, the raw data from NCEI is available only to government and military users.
Distribution Formats
  • ASCII
Ordering Instructions Data in this archival information package are not currently available for public download from NCEI. Please contact NCEI Information Services directly for access to these data.
Distributor Customer Engagement Branch
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
NCEI.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1986-01-01 to Present (time interval: 1-day)
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4269
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -125.0
East: -66.0
South: 24.0
North: 50.0
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1986-01-01
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Daily
Purpose There are many possible applications for NLDN information. Initial efforts at NCEI include: 1) Support for U.S. Air Force 14th Weather Squadron, who develop specialized reports and climatological products for military interests. 2) Relating lightning flash events to reported lightning-based casualties and damage in the NCDC Storm Events Database. 3) County and grid-based summaries of lightning data, which can be made available to all users.
Use Limitations
  • NCEI does not have in depth information on the current or historical quality and coverage of the network. Please see Vaisala Inc. for more details.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • VAISALA > Vaisala, Inc.
Originators
  • VAISALA > Vaisala, Inc.
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Electricity > Lightning
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Lightning
Keyword Thesaurus Title
  • Vaisala
  • National Lightning Detection Network
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
Keywords
  • Metadata_Not_Published
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • restricted restriction:
  • Through a contract with Vaisala, the raw data from NCEI is available only to government and military users.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • restricted
  • Through a contract with Vaisala, the raw data from NCEI is available only to government and military users.
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free, however fees may apply for data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement Contact Vaisala for in depth information on the current or historical quality coverage and control of the network.
Processing Steps
  • Raw data collected from stations are sent to Vaisalala's Network Control Center (NCC) central analyzers process information on the location, time, polarity, and communicated to users across the country.
    Rationale: The raw data is defined as containing the exact location and time of the flash event. Summarized data (number of flashes per day in region 'x') may be distributed to all.
Source Datasets
  • National Lightning Detection Network
    • National Lightning Detection Network
      Raw flash lightning totals from the National Lightning Detection Network, NLDN, stations.
    • Description of Source: flash lightning totals from the National Lightning Detection Network, NLDN, stations.
    • Temporal extent used: 1986 to Present
    • Spatial extent used: N:50.0 S:24.0 E:-66.0 W:-125.0
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2020-11-04
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.orders@noaa.gov