Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts (DTAs) by Earth Networks provide advanced notification of the increased threat of severe weather moving into an identified area.
A DTA alert is issued when there is a high frequency of lightning detected by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network™ (ENTLN) indicating the increased potential for:
- Lightning strikes
- Heavy rain rates
- High winds
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The alert is updated every 15 minutes until the dangerous weather activity is no longer a threat and the alert expires. The advanced technology used within ENTLN enables the detection of both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning (otherwise known as total lightning). High rates of total lightning activity serve as precursory indicators of the potential for severe weather activity.
Earth Networks issues a Dangerous Thunderstorm Alert when the lightning detection rate exceeds high levels. The alert is visually depicted by a purple polygon encompassing the alert area that displays the area, size, direction and speed of the severe lightning activity. Detailed weather bulletin information is also provided within the text alert.
Note: Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts by Earth Networks do not supersede the alerts issued by the National Weather Service for severe thunderstorm and tornadoes.
The following is a list of severe thunderstorm and tornado alerts available within the WeatherBug Desktop Application.
Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts by Earth Networks
Dangerous Thunderstorm Alerts by Earth Networks are issued when there is a high frequency of lightning indicating the increased potential for lightning strikes, heavy rain rates, high winds, hail and tornadic activity.
National Weather Service Alerts
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible. Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows: Winds of 58 mph or higher AND/OR Hail an inch in diameter or larger.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when severe thunderstorms are occurring or imminent in the warning area. Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows: Winds of 58 mph or higher AND/OR Hail an inch in diameter or larger.
Tornado Watch
A Tornado Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area and these storms may produce severe winds and/or hail as well as tornadoes. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.
Tornado Warning
A severe thunderstorm has been detected in or near the warned area that has the potential to produce, or is producing a tornado or funnel cloud.