Non-profit Contribution During Lightning Safety Week, June 21-27. App Empowers
People to Make Informed Decisions in Dangerous Weather Situations
Coinciding with this year’s Lightning Safety week, June
21-June 27, Weather Central’s MyWeather.com division launches 2010
PinPoint Lightning, the only iPhone application with live lightning strike data
and alert notifications. 2010 PinPoint Lightning is the first app to register
cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within 30 miles of a user’s geo-located
position and deliver rapid alerts enabling people to take immediate action to
ensure their safety.
From June 21-July 5, 2010; MyWeather.com is
donating 10% of PinPoint Lightning’s net sales to the Lightning Protection
Institute, a non-profit lightning safety organization. The app is available via
the iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/2010-pinpoint-lightning/id375144229?mt=8#.
Pinpoint Lightning uses patent-pending technology to identify a lightning
strike’s location by latitude and longitude, and then determine the nearest
street intersection. The app sends alerts — displaying the time of lightning
strikes and their distance from the user’s current location. Immediately
following these alerts the user sees a street level view of the most recent
strike and a display with specific information; for example, "Lightning Strike,
1200 Main Street, 2 miles NW from Your Location at 2:06
PM."
In addition to geo-located notifications, the app is equipped with animated
local and national radar displays as well as various terrain options. With the
ability to save up to 10 locations, this application helps individuals make
informed decisions about lightning dangers not only for themselves, but for
loved ones as well. (Note: The App is operational in the Continental U.S. and
Canada only and where a data connection is
available.)
"Nearly 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occur each year and it
takes just one to change someone’s life in an instant," stated Terry Kelly, Weather Central Chairman and CEO. "Weather
Central is proud to be on the cutting edge of safety with the very first
geo-located lightning application. Whether you’re a parent, teacher,
construction worker, coach, manager, pilot, golfer or grandparent, PinPoint
Lightning will help you to make informed decisions during dangerous weather
situations."
Lightning is the most deadly weather event on the planet, surpassing both
tornadoes and hurricanes in yearly death toll averages for the past 30 years.
During the first half of 2010, lightning has killed seven individuals and
injured 69 others. With severe weather season underway, it’s more important
than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of lightning.
