Automating severe weather notification and communication at the DOE's Savannah River Site

In order to improve accurate and timely dissemination of lightning and severe weather information at Savannah River Site (SRS), the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) / Atmospheric Technologies Group (ATG) has developed automated notifications based on the proximity of detected lightning strikes, and for the dissemination of National Weather Service (NWS) severe weather watches and warnings which include portions of SRS. Lightning occurrence is not a component of severe weather notifications provided by the NWS. however strikes within SRS can cause significant disruption to site facilities and assets as well as to outdoor related activities. Increased lead times and awareness of changing conditions can benefit site workers who need to safely complete a task, or secure a work site prior to the onset of hazardous weather conditions. The location data of every lightning stroke is tested for occurrence within defined boundaries encircling the site and/or within range of various operational areas. The inclusion of strikes within a polygon boundary is used to determine if a lightning advisory is to be sent. The SRNL system disseminates SRS lightning advisories as well as NWS issued watch and warnings bulletins received via NOAAPORT which are determined to overlap some portion of the site. Communication of weather notifications is accomplished via electronic message and site pager alerts to the Savannah River Site Operations Center (SRSOC) and directly to remote workers. Automating the process has reduced notification time significantly while increasing awareness of developing weather hazards.