I am finding the PGLM lightning data to be very helpful in detecting lightning before there are any cloud to ground flashes. This data would be helpful in the Columbia, SC FA when storms are approaching outdoor events. It would allow us to give people a heads up sooner than CG data can. The animation below shows the PGLM Surface Flash Extent image overlaid with the 1-min NLDN lightning plot. Near Denver, CO, you can see how the PGLM data picks up on lightning much earlier than the NLDN first CG strike appears (16 minutes earlier!). 16 minutes is critical when it comes to trying to move a large number of people out of an event.

(Click image to see animation)

As far as other uses for the PGLM data, I’m not sure that it’s something that I would actually use after CG lightning appears and when I’m trying to decide whether or not to issue a severe thunderstorm warning. At that point, I think it would be useful to have the PGLM data incorporated into the ProbSevere data rather than looking at it on it’s own.

-Helen Hunt