https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:59:30 +0000 MyBB https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4319 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 07:25:26 -0500 elsell]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4319
I would like permission to use live lightning data in a personal hobby app. I do not plan to earn money from the app. It will have no advertisements or subscriptions. At first, I will be the only user.

The app would show my current location and recent lightning strikes on a map. The map would follow my location. I could also move the map and change its scale. Circles around each strike would show an estimate of how far the thunder sound has travelled.

I would like to use the app with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This depends on approval from Apple and Google and their display requirements. The purpose is to view lightning activity for personal interest. The app would not provide storm warnings or support safety decisions.

Could you please answer these questions?

1. May I use your live strike locations and times for this project?
2. Which data feed should I use?
3. What credit must I give to Blitzortung and its contributors?
4. What limits apply to connections, data storage, and requests? I can use my own server to limit traffic to your servers.
5. Is a private prototype allowed? Your external project rules say that apps must be freely accessible. Would I need to make this app available to everyone at no charge?
6. Must I operate a detector to get access, or can you grant permission without one?

Thank you for your time and for maintaining the network.]]>
I would like permission to use live lightning data in a personal hobby app. I do not plan to earn money from the app. It will have no advertisements or subscriptions. At first, I will be the only user.

The app would show my current location and recent lightning strikes on a map. The map would follow my location. I could also move the map and change its scale. Circles around each strike would show an estimate of how far the thunder sound has travelled.

I would like to use the app with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This depends on approval from Apple and Google and their display requirements. The purpose is to view lightning activity for personal interest. The app would not provide storm warnings or support safety decisions.

Could you please answer these questions?

1. May I use your live strike locations and times for this project?
2. Which data feed should I use?
3. What credit must I give to Blitzortung and its contributors?
4. What limits apply to connections, data storage, and requests? I can use my own server to limit traffic to your servers.
5. Is a private prototype allowed? Your external project rules say that apps must be freely accessible. Would I need to make this app available to everyone at no charge?
6. Must I operate a detector to get access, or can you grant permission without one?

Thank you for your time and for maintaining the network.]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4312 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 01:58:11 -0500 onurd]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4312 I am working on a very small personal hobby project related to local thunderstorm forecasts and live lightning activity, and I would like to ask whether my intended use of Blitzortung data would be acceptable.
This is not a commercial product and I do not plan to monetize it. It will most likely remain a personal learning project used by myself and perhaps a few friends.
I am not a professional software developer. I have been building the project mainly with the help of AI coding tools while learning about lightning detection, weather forecasting and geospatial processing.
The project currently shows a simple local thunderstorm forecast. I would like to add a separate live-observation layer using Blitzortung data.
The intended use would be limited to simple informational summaries such as:
nearest recently detected lightning strike, number of recent detections within 10 / 25 / 50 km, time since the most recent nearby detection

At a later stage, I may also experiment with non-authoritative trend wording such as “activity appears to be approaching” or “moving away,” based on recent strike patterns. I understand that this would only be an approximation and would not be presented as a storm track, safety guarantee, or official warning.

I also understand that Blitzortung data must not be used as an official storm-warning or safety-critical system. The project would clearly state that it is informational only and that users should follow official meteorological and emergency guidance.

Technically, I would not want every browser to connect directly to Blitzortung. If permitted, my preferred setup would be a single server-side connection, very short-term in-memory retention of recent detections (for example up to 60 minutes), and only derived proximity information shown to the user.
Before proceeding, I would like to ask:

1. Would this type of small, non-commercial personal hobby use be acceptable?
   
2. Which current live-data access method would you recommend for such a project?
   
3. Is temporary in-memory retention of recent strikes acceptable for distance/count calculations?
   
4. May derived information such as nearest-strike distance and recent strike counts be shown?
   
5. Would optional proximity notifications such as “lightning activity detected nearby” fall under the prohibited storm-warning category, or could they be acceptable if clearly informational and non-authoritative?
   
6. Are there any specific attribution, rate-limit, retention, geographic-scope, or redistribution requirements I should follow?
   

I am completely happy to keep the project private or very limited if public use is not appropriate. My main goal is simply to learn and experiment while respecting the Blitzortung project and its rules.
Thank you very much for your time and for maintaining such an interesting community project.]]> I am working on a very small personal hobby project related to local thunderstorm forecasts and live lightning activity, and I would like to ask whether my intended use of Blitzortung data would be acceptable.
This is not a commercial product and I do not plan to monetize it. It will most likely remain a personal learning project used by myself and perhaps a few friends.
I am not a professional software developer. I have been building the project mainly with the help of AI coding tools while learning about lightning detection, weather forecasting and geospatial processing.
The project currently shows a simple local thunderstorm forecast. I would like to add a separate live-observation layer using Blitzortung data.
The intended use would be limited to simple informational summaries such as:
nearest recently detected lightning strike, number of recent detections within 10 / 25 / 50 km, time since the most recent nearby detection

At a later stage, I may also experiment with non-authoritative trend wording such as “activity appears to be approaching” or “moving away,” based on recent strike patterns. I understand that this would only be an approximation and would not be presented as a storm track, safety guarantee, or official warning.

I also understand that Blitzortung data must not be used as an official storm-warning or safety-critical system. The project would clearly state that it is informational only and that users should follow official meteorological and emergency guidance.

Technically, I would not want every browser to connect directly to Blitzortung. If permitted, my preferred setup would be a single server-side connection, very short-term in-memory retention of recent detections (for example up to 60 minutes), and only derived proximity information shown to the user.
Before proceeding, I would like to ask:

1. Would this type of small, non-commercial personal hobby use be acceptable?
   
2. Which current live-data access method would you recommend for such a project?
   
3. Is temporary in-memory retention of recent strikes acceptable for distance/count calculations?
   
4. May derived information such as nearest-strike distance and recent strike counts be shown?
   
5. Would optional proximity notifications such as “lightning activity detected nearby” fall under the prohibited storm-warning category, or could they be acceptable if clearly informational and non-authoritative?
   
6. Are there any specific attribution, rate-limit, retention, geographic-scope, or redistribution requirements I should follow?
   

I am completely happy to keep the project private or very limited if public use is not appropriate. My main goal is simply to learn and experiment while respecting the Blitzortung project and its rules.
Thank you very much for your time and for maintaining such an interesting community project.]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4301 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:12:54 -0500 Pascual]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4301 My name is Pascual, EA5WU. I am a radio amateur and the author of dxcontest.org, a free web-based DX cluster for radio amateurs. It is a personal, non-commercial project with no advertising, funded by donations. It has around 665 registered users, about 440 of whom log in every month, most of them in Europe.
I would like to add one simple feature: to alert a registered user when Blitzortung detects lightning closer than a distance they choose themselves (20, 30 or 50 km, for example) to their station, so they can disconnect antennas and equipment in time. The alert would be a banner on the site and, optionally, a push notification. There would be no lightning map and no other visualisation of your data.
How I would do it, following your conditions for external projects:
* A single WebSocket connection from my own server. Users never connect to your servers. My server filters by distance and alerts each user, so traffic towards Blitzortung does not grow with the number of users.
* Visible attribution on every alert and on the credits page: "Lightning data: Blitzortung.org", with a link, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
* Free access for all users, at no cost and with no conditions attached.
* A clear statement that Blitzortung is not an official warning service and that the data comes from hobbyists, for hobbyists.
I am aware that some Blitzortung participants are radio amateurs themselves. This feature would serve them just as much as anyone else: an antenna on the roof and a storm approaching is a problem they know well.
I know your conditions exclude "storm warning systems". I would rather ask you directly: what I am proposing is to protect the amateur's own station equipment, with no commercial, insurance or risk-analysis purpose whatsoever. If this use does not fit within what you allow, I understand, and I will not implement it.
Thank you for your work, and for taking the time to read this.
73, Pascual - EA5WU]]> My name is Pascual, EA5WU. I am a radio amateur and the author of dxcontest.org, a free web-based DX cluster for radio amateurs. It is a personal, non-commercial project with no advertising, funded by donations. It has around 665 registered users, about 440 of whom log in every month, most of them in Europe.
I would like to add one simple feature: to alert a registered user when Blitzortung detects lightning closer than a distance they choose themselves (20, 30 or 50 km, for example) to their station, so they can disconnect antennas and equipment in time. The alert would be a banner on the site and, optionally, a push notification. There would be no lightning map and no other visualisation of your data.
How I would do it, following your conditions for external projects:
* A single WebSocket connection from my own server. Users never connect to your servers. My server filters by distance and alerts each user, so traffic towards Blitzortung does not grow with the number of users.
* Visible attribution on every alert and on the credits page: "Lightning data: Blitzortung.org", with a link, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
* Free access for all users, at no cost and with no conditions attached.
* A clear statement that Blitzortung is not an official warning service and that the data comes from hobbyists, for hobbyists.
I am aware that some Blitzortung participants are radio amateurs themselves. This feature would serve them just as much as anyone else: an antenna on the roof and a storm approaching is a problem they know well.
I know your conditions exclude "storm warning systems". I would rather ask you directly: what I am proposing is to protect the amateur's own station equipment, with no commercial, insurance or risk-analysis purpose whatsoever. If this use does not fit within what you allow, I understand, and I will not implement it.
Thank you for your work, and for taking the time to read this.
73, Pascual - EA5WU]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4296 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 17:22:50 -0500 omardy]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4296 For a while i follow your project and really love what the community is doing.

I am a software engineer, creative coder and musician.
I developed a MIDI sequencer, which consumes geo-coordinates and translates it into MIDI notes.
By transforming latitude and longitude into pitch and velocity, we can "audialize" all kind of cool nature phenomenons which are tracked.
All of this is 100% non commercial and for the purpose of art on a small scale.
Only 1 client would listen to the web socket and use the coordinates of the strikes.
Credit can be given (if that is even wanted) to whatever extend wished.

I would be very happy to present to you in detail how that can sound and look.
A small example video of a rendering of sound and visuals is attached here and helps you to get the vibe of the music and the visuals.
As the project is in development right now, let me know if you would be keen on seeing more.

https://youtu.be/XmU6bBBaNRA

I hope this messages finds you all well. 
Best regards!]]> For a while i follow your project and really love what the community is doing.

I am a software engineer, creative coder and musician.
I developed a MIDI sequencer, which consumes geo-coordinates and translates it into MIDI notes.
By transforming latitude and longitude into pitch and velocity, we can "audialize" all kind of cool nature phenomenons which are tracked.
All of this is 100% non commercial and for the purpose of art on a small scale.
Only 1 client would listen to the web socket and use the coordinates of the strikes.
Credit can be given (if that is even wanted) to whatever extend wished.

I would be very happy to present to you in detail how that can sound and look.
A small example video of a rendering of sound and visuals is attached here and helps you to get the vibe of the music and the visuals.
As the project is in development right now, let me know if you would be keen on seeing more.

https://youtu.be/XmU6bBBaNRA

I hope this messages finds you all well. 
Best regards!]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4294 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 06:40:05 -0500 AA5H]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4294
station: 3303 Newcastle, Ok
Operator: 2529

Thanks ! 

Brian AA5H]]>
station: 3303 Newcastle, Ok
Operator: 2529

Thanks ! 

Brian AA5H]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4293 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:54:28 -0500 Marvyn]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4293 I am developing a non-commercial and freely accessible weather website called GermanLightning.
The website focuses on Germany and displays weather radar, DWD weather warnings, lightning activity and planned storm tracking features.
I would like to ask whether I may use Blitzortung.org lightning data for this project.
The website will be:

• completely free to use
  
• non-commercial
  
• publicly accessible
  
• clearly credited to Blitzortung.org as the lightning data source
  

I also understand that the website should not request data directly from Blitzortung.org servers. I would therefore retrieve the authorized data on my own backend/server and serve it from there to the website.
My goal is not simply to create another copy of the Blitzortung live map. The lightning data would be combined with weather radar, official weather warnings and storm tracking to provide additional information about thunderstorms over Germany.
I would of course follow the applicable Blitzortung.org conditions and attribution/licensing requirements.
Could you please let me know whether this project would be eligible for data access and, if so, how I can request the necessary access?
Thank you very much.
Best regards]]> I am developing a non-commercial and freely accessible weather website called GermanLightning.
The website focuses on Germany and displays weather radar, DWD weather warnings, lightning activity and planned storm tracking features.
I would like to ask whether I may use Blitzortung.org lightning data for this project.
The website will be:

• completely free to use
  
• non-commercial
  
• publicly accessible
  
• clearly credited to Blitzortung.org as the lightning data source
  

I also understand that the website should not request data directly from Blitzortung.org servers. I would therefore retrieve the authorized data on my own backend/server and serve it from there to the website.
My goal is not simply to create another copy of the Blitzortung live map. The lightning data would be combined with weather radar, official weather warnings and storm tracking to provide additional information about thunderstorms over Germany.
I would of course follow the applicable Blitzortung.org conditions and attribution/licensing requirements.
Could you please let me know whether this project would be eligible for data access and, if so, how I can request the necessary access?
Thank you very much.
Best regards]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4288 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:46:54 -0500 Bruce_AB0TL]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4288
The link provided is:

https://map.blitzortung.org

I contacted trueladderline and they confirmed the website was not responsive for them either and hopes it comes up soon. 

My question to the forum is the website down, or has the domain or syntax changed for the link.]]>
The link provided is:

https://map.blitzortung.org

I contacted trueladderline and they confirmed the website was not responsive for them either and hopes it comes up soon. 

My question to the forum is the website down, or has the domain or syntax changed for the link.]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4285 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:39:47 -0500 anastasia.millie]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4285
I am currently working on a research project involving atmospheric and cloud data, and I am interested in using lightning observations as an additional source of information.

I came across the lightning maps displayed on Infoclimat, for example for 19 July 2025, which are credited to Blitzortung.org. (https://www.infoclimat.fr/recherche/sphi...F07%2F2025)

I would be interested in learning more about how these observations and maps are produced. In particular, could you please provide me with information about:

- the equipment and sensors used by the Blitzortung network;

- the spatial and temporal resolution of the lightning observations;

- the accuracy/uncertainty of the detected lightning locations;

- the main processing steps used to obtain the final lightning locations and maps.

If you have any technical documentation, specifications, or information about how the data can be accessed for a specific historical period, such as July 2025, I would be very grateful if you could share it with me.

This information would be used for academic research purposes.

Thank you very much for your help.

Best regards,]]>
I am currently working on a research project involving atmospheric and cloud data, and I am interested in using lightning observations as an additional source of information.

I came across the lightning maps displayed on Infoclimat, for example for 19 July 2025, which are credited to Blitzortung.org. (https://www.infoclimat.fr/recherche/sphi...F07%2F2025)

I would be interested in learning more about how these observations and maps are produced. In particular, could you please provide me with information about:

- the equipment and sensors used by the Blitzortung network;

- the spatial and temporal resolution of the lightning observations;

- the accuracy/uncertainty of the detected lightning locations;

- the main processing steps used to obtain the final lightning locations and maps.

If you have any technical documentation, specifications, or information about how the data can be accessed for a specific historical period, such as July 2025, I would be very grateful if you could share it with me.

This information would be used for academic research purposes.

Thank you very much for your help.

Best regards,]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4284 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:16:57 -0500 gdziegrzmi.pl]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4284
I am developing GdzieGrzmi.pl, a free and non-commercial Polish website for monitoring thunderstorms and lightning activity in Poland and Europe. I would like to ask specifically about the Blitzortung real-time WebSocket stream.

Is it permitted to use the Blitzortung WebSocket to receive real-time lightning data for an external website such as GdzieGrzmi.pl?

We would like to use only one server-side WebSocket connection. The received lightning data would be processed on our server and temporarily stored in our database. Website visitors would not connect directly to Blitzortung servers.

The planned architecture would be:

Blitzortung WebSocket → one server-side collector → our database → our WebSocket → GdzieGrzmi.pl users

The data would be used to provide a live lightning map, precipitation radar integration, thunderstorm activity statistics, active storm areas, nearby storms and heatmaps. The public map would display lightning strikes from the last 60 minutes, and the data would be retained in our database for approximately 24 hours.

We would clearly display Blitzortung.org as the source of the lightning data and comply with any attribution or technical requirements.
Could you please confirm:

1. Are we allowed to connect to and use the Blitzortung real-time WebSocket for this purpose?
2. Are we allowed to temporarily store and process the received data on our server?
3. Are we allowed to redistribute the processed data to visitors through our own WebSocket/API?

If permission is required, we would be happy to request it formally.
Website: GdzieGrzmi.pl
Thank you for your time and for maintaining the Blitzortung network.
Best regards,
GdzieGrzmi.pl]]>
I am developing GdzieGrzmi.pl, a free and non-commercial Polish website for monitoring thunderstorms and lightning activity in Poland and Europe. I would like to ask specifically about the Blitzortung real-time WebSocket stream.

Is it permitted to use the Blitzortung WebSocket to receive real-time lightning data for an external website such as GdzieGrzmi.pl?

We would like to use only one server-side WebSocket connection. The received lightning data would be processed on our server and temporarily stored in our database. Website visitors would not connect directly to Blitzortung servers.

The planned architecture would be:

Blitzortung WebSocket → one server-side collector → our database → our WebSocket → GdzieGrzmi.pl users

The data would be used to provide a live lightning map, precipitation radar integration, thunderstorm activity statistics, active storm areas, nearby storms and heatmaps. The public map would display lightning strikes from the last 60 minutes, and the data would be retained in our database for approximately 24 hours.

We would clearly display Blitzortung.org as the source of the lightning data and comply with any attribution or technical requirements.
Could you please confirm:

1. Are we allowed to connect to and use the Blitzortung real-time WebSocket for this purpose?
2. Are we allowed to temporarily store and process the received data on our server?
3. Are we allowed to redistribute the processed data to visitors through our own WebSocket/API?

If permission is required, we would be happy to request it formally.
Website: GdzieGrzmi.pl
Thank you for your time and for maintaining the Blitzortung network.
Best regards,
GdzieGrzmi.pl]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4280 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:11:54 -0500 Alidigitaly]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4280 Request for limited real-time data access — Skycam Groningen / SkyHUD
Hello,

My name is Alex and I run Skycam Groningen, a personal, non-commercial live camera and weather project in Groningen, the Netherlands:
https://www.youtube.com/live/dCYnQST6YDI

The livestream includes a custom HUD combining local weather information, rain radar, astronomical events and aircraft received by my own ADS-B receiver.
I would like to ask whether Blitzortung could explicitly permit limited use of its real-time lightning data for this project.
The lightning data would not be used to create another general-purpose lightning map. It would be integrated into the existing local SkyHUD:

• only strikes within approximately 150 km of Groningen;
  
• short-lived lightning markers on the existing local rain/ADS-B radar;
  
• distance, bearing and age of nearby strikes;
  
• no storm warnings, safety alerts or risk analysis;
  
• purely observational and entertainment use.
  

The project is freely accessible and does not redistribute the raw data.
To minimise server load and prevent misuse, the public HUD would never connect directly to Blitzortung. A small local relay on the stream computer would retrieve only the required data, filter and cache it, and provide a limited local JSON feed to the HUD.
Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited on screen and in the stream information, for example:
“Lightning data: Blitzortung.org — CC BY-SA 4.0”
I would only need the timestamp, latitude and longitude of recent detections. Historical bulk data is not required.
Would this project qualify for explicit permission to use the real-time data? If so, could you advise me which supported access method I should use?
I would also be open to operating a Blitzortung receiver in Groningen if becoming a participant is the preferred route.
Thank you for maintaining this remarkable volunteer network.
Best regards,
Alex
Skycam Groningen]]> Request for limited real-time data access — Skycam Groningen / SkyHUD
Hello,

My name is Alex and I run Skycam Groningen, a personal, non-commercial live camera and weather project in Groningen, the Netherlands:
https://www.youtube.com/live/dCYnQST6YDI

The livestream includes a custom HUD combining local weather information, rain radar, astronomical events and aircraft received by my own ADS-B receiver.
I would like to ask whether Blitzortung could explicitly permit limited use of its real-time lightning data for this project.
The lightning data would not be used to create another general-purpose lightning map. It would be integrated into the existing local SkyHUD:

• only strikes within approximately 150 km of Groningen;
  
• short-lived lightning markers on the existing local rain/ADS-B radar;
  
• distance, bearing and age of nearby strikes;
  
• no storm warnings, safety alerts or risk analysis;
  
• purely observational and entertainment use.
  

The project is freely accessible and does not redistribute the raw data.
To minimise server load and prevent misuse, the public HUD would never connect directly to Blitzortung. A small local relay on the stream computer would retrieve only the required data, filter and cache it, and provide a limited local JSON feed to the HUD.
Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited on screen and in the stream information, for example:
“Lightning data: Blitzortung.org — CC BY-SA 4.0”
I would only need the timestamp, latitude and longitude of recent detections. Historical bulk data is not required.
Would this project qualify for explicit permission to use the real-time data? If so, could you advise me which supported access method I should use?
I would also be open to operating a Blitzortung receiver in Groningen if becoming a participant is the preferred route.
Thank you for maintaining this remarkable volunteer network.
Best regards,
Alex
Skycam Groningen]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4277 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:23:38 -0500 W2PJ-WX]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4277 https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortun...o_sid=2110
See attachment.
This is not just me but other stations as well. My station ID is 2110.
  Screenshot 2026-08-14 112231.jpg (Size: 90.61 KB / Downloads: 5) ]]> https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortun...o_sid=2110
See attachment.
This is not just me but other stations as well. My station ID is 2110.
  Screenshot 2026-08-14 112231.jpg (Size: 90.61 KB / Downloads: 5) ]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4262 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:56:10 -0500 Weather Watch]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4262 My name is Eli, and I am developing WeatherWatch, an iPhone and web weather-radar application currently in beta testing.
I am writing to request explicit permission to display recent Blitzortung lightning observations in WeatherWatch.
I understand that Blitzortung is a volunteer, non-commercial project; that its observations are provided for private and entertainment purposes; and that they must not be presented as an official warning or life-safety service. I also understand that commercial use normally is not permitted, which is why I will not proceed without your written approval.
WeatherWatch includes official weather warnings from government sources and may eventually offer an optional paid “Max” subscription. The proposed Blitzortung lightning layer would:

• Remain available to all users without requiring a Max subscription.
  
• Be clearly labeled as unofficial community lightning observations.
  
• Never create, modify, verify, rank, or trigger weather warnings or push notifications.
  
• Never be used to tell users that an area is safe or unsafe.
  
• Include a visible disclaimer directing users to official weather warnings.
  
• Clearly credit and link to Blitzortung.org and its contributors.
  
• Be retrieved through one WeatherWatch intermediary server so requests would not increase with the number of app users.
  
• Use conservative polling and caching limits set by Blitzortung.
  
• Display only recent observations on the map without offering raw-data downloads.
  
• Not permanently archive or sell the raw lightning data.
  

WeatherWatch currently experiments with a Saratoga Weather placefile that contains Blitzortung observations. We understand that obtaining the feed from a third party does not remove Blitzortung’s underlying restrictions, so it will not be included in the public release without permission from both Blitzortung and Saratoga Weather.
Could you please confirm:

1. Whether this use can be approved despite WeatherWatch being an application that may contain optional paid features.
   
2. Whether keeping the lightning layer completely free would make the use acceptable.
   
3. Whether the data may be processed and cached on our server solely for displaying the map layer.
   
4. Whether using the Saratoga-generated placefile is acceptable if Saratoga separately approves it.
   
5. What polling interval, cache duration, attribution, disclaimer, and CC BY-SA requirements must be followed.
   
6. Whether WeatherWatch would need to operate a Blitzortung detector or receive separate data credentials.
   
7. Whether there are any other technical or licensing conditions we must meet.
   

We would be happy to provide screenshots, technical information, estimated tester counts, or a beta build for review. We are also open to supporting the Blitzortung project through an appropriate contribution if that is helpful, although we understand that a contribution would not automatically grant permission.
Thank you for considering the request and for the work your contributors do.
Best regards,
Eli
WeatherWatch]]> My name is Eli, and I am developing WeatherWatch, an iPhone and web weather-radar application currently in beta testing.
I am writing to request explicit permission to display recent Blitzortung lightning observations in WeatherWatch.
I understand that Blitzortung is a volunteer, non-commercial project; that its observations are provided for private and entertainment purposes; and that they must not be presented as an official warning or life-safety service. I also understand that commercial use normally is not permitted, which is why I will not proceed without your written approval.
WeatherWatch includes official weather warnings from government sources and may eventually offer an optional paid “Max” subscription. The proposed Blitzortung lightning layer would:

• Remain available to all users without requiring a Max subscription.
  
• Be clearly labeled as unofficial community lightning observations.
  
• Never create, modify, verify, rank, or trigger weather warnings or push notifications.
  
• Never be used to tell users that an area is safe or unsafe.
  
• Include a visible disclaimer directing users to official weather warnings.
  
• Clearly credit and link to Blitzortung.org and its contributors.
  
• Be retrieved through one WeatherWatch intermediary server so requests would not increase with the number of app users.
  
• Use conservative polling and caching limits set by Blitzortung.
  
• Display only recent observations on the map without offering raw-data downloads.
  
• Not permanently archive or sell the raw lightning data.
  

WeatherWatch currently experiments with a Saratoga Weather placefile that contains Blitzortung observations. We understand that obtaining the feed from a third party does not remove Blitzortung’s underlying restrictions, so it will not be included in the public release without permission from both Blitzortung and Saratoga Weather.
Could you please confirm:

1. Whether this use can be approved despite WeatherWatch being an application that may contain optional paid features.
   
2. Whether keeping the lightning layer completely free would make the use acceptable.
   
3. Whether the data may be processed and cached on our server solely for displaying the map layer.
   
4. Whether using the Saratoga-generated placefile is acceptable if Saratoga separately approves it.
   
5. What polling interval, cache duration, attribution, disclaimer, and CC BY-SA requirements must be followed.
   
6. Whether WeatherWatch would need to operate a Blitzortung detector or receive separate data credentials.
   
7. Whether there are any other technical or licensing conditions we must meet.
   

We would be happy to provide screenshots, technical information, estimated tester counts, or a beta build for review. We are also open to supporting the Blitzortung project through an appropriate contribution if that is helpful, although we understand that a contribution would not automatically grant permission.
Thank you for considering the request and for the work your contributors do.
Best regards,
Eli
WeatherWatch]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4247 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:23:57 -0500 MorganC]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4247
I am the developer of Urgences, a French iOS emergency-assistance app.

I would like to ask whether a limited use of Blitzortung data could be authorized for a free safety-prevention feature.

Urgences already shows official thunderstorm alerts. When a user opens one of these alerts, I would like to show a small visual indication of recent lightning activity near the affected area, alongside practical safety advice.

This would not be a standalone lightning map, weather app, or alerting system.

More specifically:

• Blitzortung data would never trigger warnings, push notifications, risk scores, or emergency decisions;
  
• it would not be used to predict lightning or indicate that an area is safe;
  
• the feature would be free for all users and not behind the optional Urgences+ subscription;
  
• it would only appear inside an already-opened official thunderstorm alert;
  
• Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited;
  
• data would be retrieved through our own intermediary server;
  
• I would comply with any attribution, caching, licensing, and technical requirements.
  

I understand that Blitzortung does not allow storm warning systems or simple copies of existing visualizations. The intended use would only be a small contextual element inside a free prevention screen, intended to help users take shelter and follow appropriate safety advice.

Would this be acceptable? If needed, could you please indicate the correct way to contact Egon or request authorization?

Thank you.


  urgences-app-iPhone-screen-27.jpg (Size: 335.18 KB / Downloads: 4) ]]>
I am the developer of Urgences, a French iOS emergency-assistance app.

I would like to ask whether a limited use of Blitzortung data could be authorized for a free safety-prevention feature.

Urgences already shows official thunderstorm alerts. When a user opens one of these alerts, I would like to show a small visual indication of recent lightning activity near the affected area, alongside practical safety advice.

This would not be a standalone lightning map, weather app, or alerting system.

More specifically:

• Blitzortung data would never trigger warnings, push notifications, risk scores, or emergency decisions;
  
• it would not be used to predict lightning or indicate that an area is safe;
  
• the feature would be free for all users and not behind the optional Urgences+ subscription;
  
• it would only appear inside an already-opened official thunderstorm alert;
  
• Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited;
  
• data would be retrieved through our own intermediary server;
  
• I would comply with any attribution, caching, licensing, and technical requirements.
  

I understand that Blitzortung does not allow storm warning systems or simple copies of existing visualizations. The intended use would only be a small contextual element inside a free prevention screen, intended to help users take shelter and follow appropriate safety advice.

Would this be acceptable? If needed, could you please indicate the correct way to contact Egon or request authorization?

Thank you.


  urgences-app-iPhone-screen-27.jpg (Size: 335.18 KB / Downloads: 4) ]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4236 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:59:05 -0500 ikatsi]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4236
In the absence of freely available radar data for Greece, I've developed and run an app showing where it's currently raining/snowing in the country based on real rainfall intensity observations, as well as extrapolated snowfall areas (just saw that I can't post a link here, but here's the current screenshot):

[attachment=5240]

The next natural step for me is to add lightning data to the map. I've already emailed Egon but i know he receives plenty of messages already.  What is the recommended course of action from my side, please? The page is free to use.

Thank you!]]>
In the absence of freely available radar data for Greece, I've developed and run an app showing where it's currently raining/snowing in the country based on real rainfall intensity observations, as well as extrapolated snowfall areas (just saw that I can't post a link here, but here's the current screenshot):

[attachment=5240]

The next natural step for me is to add lightning data to the map. I've already emailed Egon but i know he receives plenty of messages already.  What is the recommended course of action from my side, please? The page is free to use.

Thank you!]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4230 Thu, 21 May 2026 08:36:03 -0500 SchwabTh]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/showthread.php?tid=4230
When I select the Realtime Maps tab the window that comes up shows detectors and vectors but there no longer are any MAPS in the background.

Is there a fix for this?

https://www.blitzortung.org/en/live_ligh...php?map=30]]>
When I select the Realtime Maps tab the window that comes up shows detectors and vectors but there no longer are any MAPS in the background.

Is there a fix for this?

https://www.blitzortung.org/en/live_ligh...php?map=30]]>