Weather News

Australia joins global lightning database

Australia will join a global database on lightning activity, after an international company was given approval to build a lightning sensor in far north Queensland.

Vaisala has been given approval to build a sensor at Tarzali, south of Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands.

Another will be built at Albany in southern Western Australia.

Vaisala managing director Robert Ireland says the company has sensors all over the world that can detect lightning from long distances.

"Really what we're doing is filling in gaps of data, but it can also be used in place of radar information to give some idea of storm activity, particularly over ocean areas or en route for aviation purposes," he said.

- ABC

© ABC 2010

More breaking news

ABC News
Sydney Morning Herald
National Nine News
News Limited

Record flooding strands NSW residents

13:43 EDT An emergency is unfolding across northern New South Wales, with record floodwaters isolating towns and forcing residents from their homes after days of heavy rain.