Thunderstorm over a city, lightning strikes the ground in the distance

We know when lightning strikes

The worldwide leader for reference-grade lightning detection data, software, and systems for met agencies, businesses, media, and climate research.

2
B+

lightning events detected every year

99.9
%

of thunderstorms detected worldwide

84
meters

median location accuracy with precision network

Real-time detection

Lightning strikes an airport

 

Vaisala operates the world's most accurate lightning detection networks, pinpointing in-cloud and cloud-to-ground events anywhere on Earth.

With four decades of innovation, Vaisala continues to lead in lightning detection, delivering critical data to governments, met agencies, and businesses. Vaisala Xweather helps companies take control of severe weather risks with forecasts, warnings, and alerts to protect people, property, and infrastructure. 

Global coverage

Lightning strikes a crane

 

Vaisala detects, locates, and reports over two billion lightning events every year, all within seconds of the flash. Our global detection network provides reliable, real-time lightning data with unsurpassed location accuracy across land and sea, even in the most remote areas beyond the range of radars and satellites.

Always available

Lightning strikes a wind farm

 

We provide single-source access to standardized global thunderstorm and lightning data 24 hours a day with 99.99% uptime without the need to purchase or maintain additional equipment or systems. Our superior lightning detection networks are accurate to within 100 meters in the U.S. and 1 km globally.

Unmatched expertise

Thunderstorm over city

 

With over 40 years of lightning detection experience, no one can match Vaisala for quality, accuracy, and coverage. That's why Vaisala is the primary source of lightning data for the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Armed Forces, and hundreds of businesses worldwide.

Weather confidence before, during, and after the storm

From grounded aircraft to damaged wind turbines, the cost of lightning strikes adds up fast. But what if you could anticipate every storm? Take control of severe weather risk and protect what matters most with the world leader in lightning detection.

Lightning data and alerting software

Map showing real-time lightning data from the Xweather API

Xweather API

Direct access to the world's most accurate real-time and historical lightning data to integrate into your applications, systems, and processes.
Map showing lightning activity near Miami International Airport

Xweather Protect

Improve operational safety and continuity with real-time lightning detection and severe weather alerts for all your locations worldwide.
Graphic illustration of overlapping semi-circles on top of a grid

Prepare for lightning season with Xweather

Watch now with instant access to see:

 How to set up real-time lightning alerts for your locations

 How to get ahead of danger with lightning forecast alerts

 Examples of alert configurations for different industries

Xweather Lightning Network

Powered exclusively by sensors designed and manufactured by Vaisala, the Xweather Lightning Network combines Vaisala's proprietary lightning detection networks with private member networks to deliver complete global coverage from a single source.

CONUS map showing lightning density measured by the NLDN

National Lightning Detection Network

The National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) is a Vaisala-owned precision lightning detection network that covers the contiguous United States. In operation for over 40 years, the NLDN detects lightning with a median locational accuracy of 84 meters.
Global map showing lightning density measured by the GLD360 lightning detection network.

Global Lightning Dataset GLD360

GLD360 is a Vaisala-owned long-range detection network capable of locating lightning anywhere on the planet with a median accuracy of 1 km. As the only truly global network, GLD360 delivers the most consistently accurate and reliable worldwide lightning data.
Member networks

Member networks

Member networks are owned by private organizations. Built with Vaisala sensors, these precision networks contribute regional data to the Xweather Lightning Network, while receiving enhanced performance, range, and accuracy in return.

Build a precision lightning network

Advanced Total Lightning Sensor LS7002

Advanced Total Lightning Sensor LS7002

Detects cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning with high detection efficiency and excellent location accuracy. It uses combined technology and provides large area coverage with fewer sensors leading to lower lifetime network ownership costs.
Total Lightning Processor TLP100

Total Lightning Processor

Total Lightning Processor processes data from Vaisala’s low frequency (LF) sensors providing lightning location solutions for greater than 90% of cloud-to-ground (CG) and 50% of cloud (IC) lightning flashes.
GLD360 Global Lightning Detector

Join the Xweather Lightning Network

Start building a local detection network with just two sensors. Joining the Xweather Lightning Network boosts your network's performance, range, and accuracy while significantly reducing your setup and running costs.
IRIS Focus

IRIS Focus

With IRIS Focus, Vaisala is leading the evolution of remote sensing software to provide the user with a comprehensive view to help better understand storms, other adverse weather events and storm predictions and analyses.

Resources

Annual Lightning Report 2024 cover
Report

Annual Lightning Report

How does lightning affect the world’s busiest airports? Where are U.S. wind farms most at risk from lightning? Which town is the U.S. lightning capital? Find the answers and more in the 2024 Vaisala Xweather Annual Lightning Report.
Global lightning map
Interactive map

Global lightning density map

See where lightning strikes with the Vaisala Xweather global lightning density map. Compare the average number of lightning events per km2 per year for every country then zoom in to see how much lightning occurs in your state or province.
Lightning density map
Blog

Lightning safety

Lightning is a serious safety hazard that can cause injuries or even death. Discover proven strategies, solutions, and industry insights to safeguard your operations and create a more resilient workplace.
Teamworking

Talk to an expert

Whatever your severe weather needs, we're here to help. Get in touch today, and let us put our expertise to work for you.

E-mail Facebook Twitter LinkedIn