The lightning detection service has been added as a viewing option or ‘layer’ on the Bureau’s high definition Himawari satellite cloud viewer, and is updated every 10 minutes.

A ‘CRACKING’ new lightning viewer has been added to the Bureau of Meteorology’s high definition Himawari satellite cloud viewer.

Users can zoom into to an area only slightly bigger than that of New South Wales.

They can also select viewing options that add coastal and state boundaries, as well as roads and cities, to show where lightning has struck.

It is updated every 10 minutes.

The Bureau’s General Manager Data Dr Anthony Rea said that adding the new lightning layer to the satellite infrared cloud image would help Australians living in remote areas with limited radar coverage to identify severe weather and track thunderstorms.

The Bureau’s viewer shows the frequency of lightning ranging from two to more than 20 strikes every 10 minutes.

It also shows the most recent four hours of lightning data consistent with the satellite cloud image updates.

The lightning coverage is Australia-wide and extends into the surrounding high seas.

Source: BOM. You can view the lightning tracker on the BOM website at this address: satview.bom.gov.au