Lightning Detection in Palatine Park District Parks
Beginning March 1, 2012 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. the Palatine Park District will be using a Lightning Detection System to provide early-warning of lightning throughout our parks, pools, golf course and stables.
Warning sirens and/or strobes will be located at the following locations: Birchwood Park, Birchwood South, Cardinal Park, Celtic Park, Community Park, Eagle Park, Falcon Park, Finch Park, Tom T. Hamilton Reservoir, Juniper Park, Doug Lindberg Park, Maple Park, Oak Park, Osage Park, Ost Field, Palatine Hills, Palatine Stables, Plum Grove Reservoir, Sycamore Park, The Grove, Towne Square, and Willowwood Park.
The Strike Guard Early Warning System detects and tracks lightning strikes within a 20 mile radius, including which direction a storm is moving and how fast. The WAVE siren and strobes will provide notice when a storm heading our way reaches within 10 and 5 miles.
When actual lightning strikes have been detected (no false alarms) within the warning area, the park systems in that zone will provide warning. When lightning has been detected, notice to take shelter is provided. One long (15-second) siren will sound, and a strobe will flash on the unit. After the Strike Guard System determines conditions are safe, (20 minutes of no lightning) the siren will sound three five-second intermittent blasts and the strobe will go off, providing notice that it is safe to resume activity in this area.
Strike Guard monitors cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning within a 20 mile radius, and the technology prevents false alarms. It is imperative that warnings are followed immediately, since the system has detected lightning in the area.
Be vigilant in monitoring threatening weather and always err on the side of caution. Seek shelter immediately in the event of the following:
You hear one long siren.
You hear thunder (regardless of siren).
You see lightning (regardless of siren).
You see the strobe light on when arriving at the park.
No place outdoors is safe when a thunderstorm is near! The best shelter from lightning is to be inside a substantial building.
Familiarize yourself with the warning unit in a park near you. Each location will have signs such as the following explaining the Lightning Procedures. You can hear the sirens by going to the link of the Palatine Park District web site and listening to the take cover and all clear siren tones.
Sirens and strobes will not go off when the parks are closed for the evenings or during none usage winter months.
 |
 |
For questions, concerns, suggestions, comments regarding these Lightning Department Systems contact Keith Williams Superintendent of Recreation, Palatine Park District, 847-496-6232, kwilliams@palatineparks.org.