This archive contains answers to questions sent to Unidata support through mid-2025. Note that the archive is no longer being updated. We provide the archive for reference; many of the answers presented here remain technically correct, even if somewhat outdated. For the most up-to-date information on the use of NSF Unidata software and data services, please consult the Software Documentation first.
Jerry, I neglected to CC support-idv which I am doing now. -The IDV Support Team > Jerry, > > The IDV can display NLDN data. Open your .ingest NLDN file as a file data > source (Data --> Choose Data --> From the file system). The data source > should be "netCDF/GEMPAK Point Data files" data source type. > > The IDV offers configurability options for displaying various fields from the > lightning data. Please see the Layout model, under the Display Control, after > you have read in the lightning data into the IDV. > > Let us know if you have any additional questions. > > - The IDV Support Team > > > Full Name: Jerry Blechman > > Email Address: address@hidden > > Organization: SUNY-Oneonta > > Package Version: 2.9u3 > > Operating System: Windows XP and RedHat Linux > > Hardware: > > Description of problem: I would like to display Vaisala's data from the > > NLDN on the same map as NCDC radar images. Ron Holle asked what format he > > should use to send the data. Can you advise what is the best format and > > how can I put the lightning strokes over the radar displays (either > > reflectivity or radial velocity)? > > > > Here's the thread of e-mails between me and Vaisala: > > > > Ron, > > > > Thanks for the good word. The IDV can read and display almost anything > > (see > > http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/idv/docs/userguide/data/DataSources.html), > > including netCDF, GRIB, and even plain text. What I need is for the > > software to put the lightning strokes on the same map as the radar data. > > Unidata has good user support and I will pose to them the question of how > > best to do that so I can better advise you. > > > > I definitely want time and location of the strokes. Polarity is not a > > quantity that I need to do this project but if the dataset comes with it, > > that won't be a problem. For what I want to do, strokes are better than > > flashes. If my hypothesis has any merit, there will be faster charge > > separation in the strong mesocyclone so each individual return stroke > > should be counted. > > > > I wasn't aware that the NLDN could detect cloud flashes. Please, by all > > means, include them. The more data I can get the better. The IDV can > > handle large datasets. > > > > > > Thanks also for the papers. I've been searching for papers which address > > charge separation, interface charging, and induction charging since classes > > ended in May. The reference list you sent looks very up-to-date and will > > save me a lot of search time. > > > > I will get back to you about format after I hear from Unidata support. > > > > Jerry > > > > =================== > > > > Jerome B. Blechman > > Earth Sciences Department > > State University of New York > > Oneonta, NY 13820-4015 > > > > Phone: (607) 436-3322 or (607) 436-3707 > > ________________________________________ > > From: address@hidden [address@hidden] > > Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 12:47 PM > > To: Blechman, Jerome (address@hidden) > > Subject: NLDN Lightning Data > > > > Dr. Blechman- > > > > > > > > Your request for NLDN data was forwarded to me here at Vaisala in Tucson. > > I am a meteorologist who manages the research data requests. It appears > > that your request qualifies for free data under the policy; thanks for > > filling out the form and supplying the abstract. I would like to ask a few > > questions before proceeding with the internal data request: > > > > > > > > --We are not familiar with the IDV format, so could you provide information > > on how the data need to be formatted? NLDN data come with year, month, > > day, hour, second, and millisecond, as well as latitude and longitude. > > Other parameters are available such as polarity, peak current, and other > > quality indicators. Most likely, you will want time and location, and > > probably polarity. > > > > > > > > --Do you want flash or stroke? A CG flash has one or more return strokes > > that can be identified separately or grouped into flashes. The typical > > number of strokes is 3 to 5 per flash. Most researchers have been using CG > > strokes in recent years. > > > > > > > > --Do you want any cloud flash information? The NLDN detects about 10 to > > 30% of cloud strokes. These are typically points located within a few km > > of the CG flash or stroke location, and are identified in the dataset as > > cloud. > > > > > > > > I have attached a recent paper by Cummins and Murphy that is an excellent > > resource on the NLDN. Also attached is a bibliography of all known > > published papers on real-time lightning detection networks and their > > applications. > > > > > > > > Thanks. > > > > > > > > Ron > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > > From: Blechman, Jerome (address@hidden) > > > > [mailto:address@hidden] > > > > Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 6:31 AM > > > > To: address@hidden > > > > Subject: Lightning data > > > > > > > > > > > > Good morning, > > > > > > > > I am interested in purchasing data on lightning strikes within 230 km of > > > > Birmingham, AL during a 12-hour period from 2 p.m. (EDT) April 27 to 2 > > > > a.m. April 28. Also, I need strikes within 230 km of Birmingham, AL > > > > during a 12-hour period from 2 p.m. (EDT) April 4 to 2 a.m. April 5. > > > > This data will be used for research that I wish to conduct on lightning > > > > in relation to horizontal velocity shear in severe thunderstorms on > > > > those two occasions. I will need the information in a format that the > > > > Integrated Data Viewer (IDV) can read and display. > > > > > > > > I contacted Dr. Knight at SUNY-Albany who informed me that he is not > > > > allowed to distribute data that is not real-time. Thus, I must obtain > > > > it through your company. > > > > > > > > Can you send me a price quote for providing these datasets in a format > > > > that will allow me to use them with the IDV? > > > > > > > > Thank you. > > > > > > > > > > > > Jerome Blechman > > > > Professor of Meteorology > > > > =================== > > > > > > > > Jerome B. Blechman > > > > Earth Sciences Department > > > > State University of New York > > > > Oneonta, NY 13820-4015 > > > > > > > > Phone: (607) 436-3322 or (607) 436-3707 > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ticket Details =================== Ticket ID: XQY-387958 Department: Support IDV Priority: Normal Status: Closed