nowcast success story: From university research project to quality leader in commercial lightning detection

The success story of nowcast began at the end of the 1980s within the framework of a research project led by Prof. Hans-Dieter Betz at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich.

At this point in time, Prof. Betz had gained some initial experience with the few existing lightning detection systems. He was certain that, by optimizing the measurement principle and improving certain components, considerable enhancement of the quality – in particular in location accuracy and sensitivity – could be achieved. Hence, the development of system components and software concepts for high-precision lightning data collection became the primary research challenge.

How the high-precision lightning detection network LINET (Lightning DetectionNetwork) made and engineered in Germany evolved.

After years of intensive research, it was shown that LINET, the lightning detection network developed by the research group, actually did boast a number of significant improvements in comparison with the existing lightning detection systems. Till today, these patented improvements form the basis for the unsurpassed precision of the lightning detection network. 

Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Betz

  • 2019

    LINET lightning detection network in Malawi

    nowcast sets up a high-precision LINET lightning detection network in Malawi (Africa), after winning a UNDP-tender

  • 2018

    New customers

    nowcast wins the South-Korean Airforce as a new LINET-customer & deploys a LINET-network in Peru

    2018

  • 2012

    LINET premium provider

    nowcast has established LINET within a couple of years as premium provider of lightning information.

  • 2009

    New customer Allianz

    The biggest P&C insurer worldwide, Allianz, chooses nowcast.

    2009

  • 2006

    New customer German Weather Service DWD

    The German Weather Service opts for nowcast and confirms this decision in a new tender in 2009.

  • 2002

    Founding nowcast

    The successful research work is put at the disposal of weather services & weather-dependent companies

    2002