Thunderstorms, which are always accompanied by lightning, can produce severe weather such as tornadoes, hail, high winds and heavy rain. Lightning kills an average of seven people and injures 60 to 70 others in Canada every year. It is also responsible for about 42 per cent of all forest fires.
Damage is enormous.
The Canadian lightning detection network will allow meteorologists to track the growth and movement of thunderstorms almost anywhere in the country. The sensors are accurate to within 500 metres of where lightning hits and are capable of detecting more than 90 per cent of all lightning strikes. Data about a lightning strike will be relayed to Environment Canada's weather centres within 30 seconds. Global Atmospherics, Inc. will supply, install and operate the Canadian lightning detection network for Environment Canada. The entire system will be fully operational by the summer of 1998.