Weather enthusiasts around the world are building their own free lightning detection network.  Learn how to get involved in this network and what it takes to build your own sensor.  Our guest Mike Walker talks about how he became part of the Blitzortung lightning network and explains what it takes to get your own detector online.  Mike also talks about ham radio’s involvement in the Canwarn program in Ontario.

INTRODUCTION

General Discussion on recent weather events:

Subtropical Storm Alberto hits the North Channel of Lake Huron last Thursday. I drove through the heavy rain. Daniel did it meet expectations or was it a bust?

Last week on May 31st, Arnold Ashton, veteran severe weather forecaster at the Ontario Storm Prediction Centre at Downsview worked his last shift. After 33 years & ~1500 night shifts, Arnold is leaving Environment Canada. I met Arnold a couple times and he was passionate and brilliant. He was keen on helping other forecasters and will be missed by EC. Congratulations Arnold on your retirement. I hope one day we can get Arnold here on Canada Talks Weather for an interview on his career.

A lot has changed over the years. I’m sure Arnold went from an old-school approach of charts and paper to computer models and screens. Are we losing something with this current generation that never had that background?

Mike Walker Interview About Lightning Detection / CanWarn

Mike speaks about the Blitzortung lightning network, how it works and the technology that anyone can obtain to install.

Listeners can find this network at https://www.lightningmaps.org

This site has live lightning strikes along with rings of thunder that travel from each lightning strike location.

The network was started in Europe and is spreading across North America.  Listen for details on how it works and what you need to install your own sensor.

Mike also talks about his ham radio involvement in Ontario’s CanWarn storm spotter network.  He advocates that even with all the cell phone coverage and social media that this network of amateur radio users can still serve a role in alerting Environment Canada of severe weather.

COAST TO COAST

East Coast:

More Snow early this week in Newfoundland! June 3rd. Isn’t there a Northern Pikes album called ‘Snow in June’ that seems appropriate?

Brief heat this coming weekend but the cooler than normal returns.

Quebec/Ontario:

Alberto came through into Lake Huron/SSM region last Thursday with heavy rain in NE Ontario. This was followed by a cooldown for the start of June.

Northern Ontario returns to above seasonal temperatures this weekend and into next week while Quebec and southern Ontario continue with cool weather. Zonal flow over the middle of Canada turns to brief ridging this weekend before unstable conditions return.

Prairies:

Strong storms over southern Saskatchewan Monday night.

Ridging dries things out for a couple days but an upper trof moves west to east this weekend to bring rain in Alberta by Saturday that migrates to Manitoba by Monday.

West Coast:

Only warmer than normal part of Canada for the start of June.

A trof moves into BC late this week to bring rain that will move out by the end of the weekend with weak ridging and warmer than normal conditions next week.

JERRY’S WEATHER TIP OF THE WEEK

My pick is the lightning maps page where you can find out more about covering your area for lightning detection. The site explains the sensors available and provides contact information to acquire your own sensor.

http://en.blitzortung.org/cover_your_area.php

 

DANIEL’S WEATHER TIP OF THE WEEK

Daniel’s pick is about a commercial jet that sustained heavy damage during a hailstorm.