Apr 6 2015
As part of Bucknell Athletics’ primary mission of student-athlete safety and welfare, the department has completed the installation of WeatherBug, a state-of-the art weather station and lightning detection system.
Now fully operational, this networked lightning detection and alerting system provides Bison coaches, game operations staff, athletic trainers, officials, and recreation services personnel with an additional decision-making tool pertaining to weather conditions. The system helps take the guesswork out of important weather-related safety decisions by providing specific information on current weather conditions, forecasts future conditions, and most importantly, sends real-time alerts to the presence of severe weather.
The WeatherBug system utilizes total lightning detection, which is a newer technology that detects both cloud-to-ground and in-cloud lightning. In-cloud lightning makes up the vast majority of lightning and often precedes cloud-to-ground lightning. WeatherBug’s parent company, Earth Networks, operates the world’s largest total lightning network.
Users can access information and receive severe-weather alerts through a variety of modern devices. Notifications are sent via e-mail or through the WeatherBug app that can be downloaded to mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Info can also be accessed through the Bucknell page on the WeatherBug website, or on a display monitor located in the Langone Athletics and Recreation Center.
“The implementation of WeatherBug is a very exciting development for Bison Athletics,” said John Hardt, director of athletics and recreation, “particularly as we move into the heart of the spring athletics season with so many outdoor practices and competitions that are dependent on the unpredictable northeastern weather. We have had a lightning-detection system and emergency weather procedures in place for many years, but now this technology will deliver the pertinent information to the fingertips of the appropriate personnel in a more efficient and timely manner, using all modes of modern communication.”
WeatherBug by Earth Networks is “the world's largest weather and climate sensor network. That means observations and forecasts for 2.6 million cities, real-time data and the most advanced warnings to severe weather.” WeatherBug offers “detection” rather than “prediction” of lightning in addition to other weather reporting and alerting capabilities.
Source: http://www.bucknellbison.com/