Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) The SPoRT program works with three
total lightning networks. These include the Lightning Mapping
Arrays in North Alabama and Washington, D.C. as well as the
Lightning Detection and Ranging Network at the Kennedy Space
Center. Each card represents one of these networks. A green card
marked as "Evaluation Product," is being used by at least one
National Weather Service Forecast Office. Blue cards, marked
"Research," exist for academic purposes and research. Real-time
data are available by following the link at the bottom right of
the card. The Overview section below describes the North Alabama
network, but the basic concepts are applicable to each total
lightning network. Real-time 2-minute data on a 2 x 2 km grid
from the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array. Figure 1: The
location of the 11 North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array sensors
(green dots and blue dot) and communications relays (open green
circles) across north Alabama. The North Alabama Lightning
Mapping Array (NALMA)