I got to see the weather map at an athletics event today. I was very curious about lightening and how that effects operations and the clearing of fields.
I wonder what would make me interested?
Forget about the past.
But, I saw what was the weather channel map on steriods.
Here is the website for the program. http://www.telvent.com/en/business_areas/environment/solutions_overview/sports_rec/index.cfm
The weather map has rings around the location of the event that extends out for about 18-20 miles. These rings help show where lightening strikes are occurring and how close they are to the location of the event.
Lightening strikes within six miles of the field means that the game has to be delayed. Now there is a difference between cloud to cloud lightening and cloud to ground lightening. Cloud to cloud lightening does not necessarily mean that a game has to be delayed. Cloud to ground lightening means that it does if it is within six miles.
A referee can see lightening but can be told that it is beyond six miles out and the game can continue. Operations people can have some discretion. Obviously if the lightening is headed towards the game, then it will likely be delayed if a referee sees it.
The weather map program also keeps tracks of cloud to cloud lightening and cloud to ground lightening strikes within the last three minutes and three to fifteen minutes. These can be viewed in a table and the table can automatically restart the thirty minute clock that determines when a game can resume.
So this is what I learned today about lightening strikes and sporting events. I hope to learn more.
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