Meteorage

Thunderstorms and lightning represent a severe natural hazard that must be taken seriously. Each year, between 6,000 and 24,000 deaths worldwide are estimated to be caused by lightning. In Europe, around one in five lightning‑related accidents involves an outdoor worker. Lightning also causes significant material damage: fires (forests, industrial installations), destruction of electrical equipment, network failures, etc. In some sectors, lightning is even identified as the leading cause of unplanned shutdowns – this is the case for wind turbines, one of the main causes of insured losses (source: DNV). It is also estimated that around 80% of insured equipment failures can be attributed to lightning. In the context of climate change, a trend towards more devastating thunderstorms and an extension of the thunderstorm season is being observed. For all these reasons, integrating lightning into risk management is essential in order to protect people, preserve infrastructure and ensure business continuity.

Meteorage is a French company specialised in lightning detection and thunderstorm risk management since its creation in 1987. Based in Pau and supported by a team of 30 employees, Meteorage is now the European leader in its field. We provide more than 4,000 clients and partners in Europe and worldwide with lightning risk prevention services based on observations carried out by a professional lightning location network – including thunderstorm monitoring, storm approach alerts, real-time lightning tracking, post‑storm analysis and lightning strike certificates – to help them anticipate and act in the face of thunderstorms. We also offer, on request, consulting, engineering and support services related to the implementation of lightning location systems. The vast majority of our clients renew their trust each year (renewal rate ~98%), a sign of the added value and quality of our solutions.

Meteorage operates the most high‑performance European lightning detection network to date. In Europe, our network includes more than 130 interconnected sensors, providing dense and homogeneous coverage across the continent. This enables us to achieve a location accuracy of around 100 metres and a detection efficiency rate exceeding 98% for cloud‑to‑ground lightning. Beyond Europe, we also provide lightning data on a global scale through access to the GLD360 network (operated by Vaisala), which allows us to monitor thunderstorms in all regions of the world. Our clients can therefore benefit from an operational service not only in Europe (our area of excellence) but also for their international sites. Please note that all data are continuously monitored by our technical team, 24/7, to ensure the quality and availability of the information delivered. Learn more: https://www.meteorage.com/our-expertise/

No, accessing Meteorage services does not require any hardware or software installation on your sites. Unlike certain local devices (for example “field mills” or isolated storm sensors), our model is entirely based on data measured by our network in Europe: Meteorage operates the entire detection infrastructure (sensors distributed across the territory and processing centres). Your teams therefore have no sensors to deploy or maintain. Our services are provided in SaaS (Software as a Service) mode: all that is required is an Internet connection to access the information. You can access our tools via a secure web platform, from any connected device (computer, tablet, smartphone), with no heavy configuration. In short, you benefit from reliable real‑time data with no initial investment and no maintenance constraints: we take care of all the technical aspects and you receive ready‑to‑use information.

We operate one of the most extensive lightning databases available. In France, Meteorage deployed its network as early as the end of the 1980s (first national operational network in 1989), and all lightning data since that date have been archived in our database. This represents nearly 40 years of historical lightning data, with millions of lightning strikes recorded. Across Europe and other regions, we also have more than 10 years of consolidated data thanks to the gradual extension of the network and access to global data. This historical depth is particularly valuable as it enables robust statistical analyses to assess the lightning risk of a site or activity. Moreover, the international standard IEC 62858 recommends using at least 10 years of climatic data to reliably calculate lightning density, a critical basic parameter for lightning risk assessments (LRA) and for determining lightning protection levels (LPL), etc. In addition, the network has been continuously modernised (new‑generation sensors, improved algorithms) to ensure that data quality remains optimal throughout the entire period: today, accuracy is incomparable with that of 1987 (it has improved from around 5 km to 100 m thanks to technological progress). You therefore benefit from long‑term expertise, with reliable historical data for your analyses and the implementation of preventive procedures.

Yes, any cloud‑to‑ground discharge, even of low intensity, can be dangerous. Even a strike of only a few kiloamperes may be sufficient to cause major damage to sensitive equipment or to seriously injure or kill a person nearby. It would therefore be imprudent to consider only very intense lightning strikes as “risky”. In practice, the statistical distribution of current intensities is taken into account when designing lightning protection systems – for example, by ensuring that the selected Lightning Protection Level (LPL) for an installation adequately covers potentially damaging impact scenarios. Lightning polarity also plays a role in its dangerousness. A distinction is made between negative cloud‑to‑ground lightning (CG–) and positive lightning (CG+), depending on the polarity of the electrical charges transferred to the ground. Positive cloud‑to‑ground lightning strikes are relatively rare (around 10% of cases) but are often more feared, as they are more intense than negative strikes (on average nearly three times more intense) and are accompanied by a longer‑lasting continuous current. This prolonged current component increases the risk of fire or explosion, particularly on sensitive industrial sites. In summary, even a “small” lightning strike can cause serious damage, and positive lightning in particular must be carefully considered in lightning risk assessments.

We provide our clients with a comprehensive range of services covering all phases of the thunderstorm life cycle, to support them before, during and after thunderstorm events: - Before the storm (anticipation): historical and statistical analysis tools are used to assess the exposure of a site or a geographical area to lightning. For example, we provide 10‑year lightning maps, lightning density calculations, and occurrence studies, which help design protection systems (surge arresters, lightning rods) and define appropriate safety procedures. These preventive analyses help guide investments and preparedness, in order to reduce vulnerabilities from the design or organisational phase of a site. - During the storm (alerts & real‑time monitoring): this is the core of our operational services. Thanks to our real‑time detection network, we provide continuous monitoring of ongoing thunderstorms. In practical terms, our users have access to real‑time mapping interfaces showing the progression of lightning strikes and storm cells around their sites. Above all, we issue customised alerts: as soon as a potentially dangerous storm approaches your perimeter, you are automatically alerted (for example via notification or SMS), and then informed when the risk moves away. These storm arrival/end alerts are fully configurable according to your criteria (distance, thresholds, recipients, etc.) and allow you to trigger your safety procedures for personnel or equipment at the right time. - After the storm (analysis and decision‑making): once the storm has passed, our services help you verify lightning impacts on site and optimise your actions. We provide detailed reports listing all lightning impacts detected on and around your installations during the specified period. This enables you to quickly identify whether a specific piece of equipment may have been struck and to focus post‑storm inspections accordingly (targeted inspections rather than unnecessary generalised checks). We also issue official lightning strike certificates on request, which are often used in insurance or expert assessment processes to demonstrate that a loss is related to lightning. Finally, our consolidated statistics support feedback and analysis: for example, comparing the measured lightning current intensity with the capacity of your surge protection devices, in order to adjust protection measures if necessary. In addition to these core services, Meteorage offers solutions for integrating lightning data into your own tools (APIs, real‑time data feeds), as well as training and awareness modules on thunderstorm risks. Our offerings address all sensitive sectors of activity: energy and industry (where service continuity and safety are critical), transport, outdoor events, insurance, applied meteorology, emergency services, as well as operators of public‑access sites. Each client can assemble the combination of services that best matches their operational needs and specific risks.

Our services help organisations better manage thunderstorm risks on a day‑to‑day basis, with very concrete impacts on safety and operational performance: - Enhanced protection of people: alerts make it possible to evacuate or shelter teams at the right time, before lightning presents a direct danger. This avoids exposing workers at height or outdoors when the risk becomes critical. By way of example, it is estimated that one lightning‑related death out of five occurs in the context of outdoor work – our solutions aim to prevent this type of accident by providing the time needed to apply safety measures (temporary shutdown of work sites, instructions not to go outside, etc.). - Fewer operational interruptions and production losses: by anticipating the arrival of thunderstorms, operators can suspend their activities only when necessary and resume as soon as it is safe, avoiding premature or unnecessarily prolonged stoppages. This optimisation results in a reduction in weather‑related unplanned shutdowns, improved business continuity and lower costs associated with interruptions. - Reduced maintenance costs: our post‑storm data help precisely identify equipment that may have been struck by lightning. Instead of blindly inspecting an entire installation, technicians know exactly which power line, wind turbine or pylon has been affected. They can prioritise inspections on these points, detect potential hidden damage more quickly and restore the rest of the installation without delay. This means faster and more efficient inspections, fewer unnecessary trips, and ultimately savings on maintenance (and fewer prolonged outages due to lack of diagnosis). - Objective justification and facilitation of insurance processes: in the event of a loss, our reports and certificates provide formal technical proof that a lightning event occurred at a specific location and time. Insurers, experts or HSE managers can rely on these data to support a claim or compensation request. This speeds up administrative processes and strengthens the credibility of failure analyses. Similarly, our historical data can be used to demonstrate the reality of a disruption (e.g. production shutdowns) to stakeholders. - Continuous improvement of resilience: over the long term, the use of our solutions fosters a prevention‑oriented culture. By integrating lightning data into their operational plans, our clients learn to anticipate this diffuse but very real risk. They can adjust their safety protocols, better dimension their lightning protection systems, and thus reduce the vulnerability of their activities to thunderstorms. Ultimately, investing in lightning monitoring means gaining operational peace of mind: making the right decision at the right time, rather than enduring the storm with uncertainty. In summary, Meteorage helps transform an inevitable natural hazard (thunderstorms and lightning) into a controllable parameter in professional operations. Our clients report improved responsiveness and a noticeable reduction in storm‑related incidents, resulting in fewer accidents and financial gains (less damage and fewer costly shutdowns).

The CATS platform (Computer Aided Thunderstorm Services) is the central system created and used by Meteorage to deliver its services to clients. It is an integrated software platform, a kind of digital “toolbox” that turns raw lightning data into ready‑to‑use operational services. In practical terms, CATS is used to manage real‑time detection, the triggering of alerts, the display of storm maps, and the automated generation of reports, for each user. All our services are accessible online through this platform: each client has a secure account and can log into the CATS web portal to consult information in real time or retrospectively. No local installation is required on the client side; a simple internet browser is sufficient. The platform is available in several languages (up to 6 languages) to serve our users across Europe and beyond. CATS also offers a very comprehensive user and service administration interface: for example, an administrator can manage user profiles, configure who receives which alerts, define monitoring zones, etc. Internal reporting tools also make it possible to track the history of alerts sent or user connections, which is important for monitoring service usage. In summary, CATS is the 24/7 digital core of Meteorage: it is through this platform that we continuously deliver high‑precision data to thousands of users in a secure, reliable and personalised manner.

Information reliability is an absolute priority at Meteorage. Several quality guarantees can be highlighted: - Proven and measured technical performance: as stated, our network delivers very high‑resolution data (accuracy ~100 m, >98% of lightning detected). These performances are continuously monitored and improved by our teams. Permanent technical monitoring of the network is ensured (sensor health indicators, calibrations, etc.), and regular performance mapping is carried out to verify that each area meets the required criteria. In addition, our data centre and servers operate with 24/7 high availability, including backup and redundancy procedures, as well as continuous supervision to guarantee uninterrupted access to the service. - Compliance with international standards: Meteorage actively contributes to the development and application of standards related to lightning detection. For example, we comply with the recommendations of IEC 62793 on Thunderstorm Warning Systems and IEC 62858 on lightning location systems, data quality and lightning density calculation. Our methodologies follow recognised best practices, ensuring that the data produced are standardised and reliable. We also contribute to standardisation work: our experts participate in international technical committees on lightning (IEC TC81). - Scientific recognition: Meteorage’s expertise is validated by the technical and scientific community. We conduct or co‑lead research programmes (with CNRS, CNES, ONERA, etc.) to advance knowledge on thunderstorms, lightning and their operational applications. Our specialists regularly publish studies in international journals and speak at reference conferences on lightning and atmospheric electricity (such as ICLP, ILDC, ICAE, etc.). This active involvement ensures that our methods are constantly assessed and improved in line with the latest scientific advances. - Quality and security certifications: our internal processes have been ISO 9001 certified (quality management) for many years, implying a high level of requirement in service production, traceability and continuous improvement. In France, Meteorage is also certified Qualifoudre – a label awarded by INERIS attesting expertise in lightning risk prevention. Through these independent certifications, we demonstrate the robustness of our procedures, the reliability of our data and our commitment to delivering a secure and professional service. In addition, our systems are subject to regular audits (notably in cybersecurity) to protect client data. - Client feedback: finally, the most meaningful indicator remains user satisfaction. We maintain a client renewal rate exceeding 98% and build a trusted relationship with each customer. Field feedback enables us to continuously adapt our services to evolving client needs. This close relationship also supports data quality: in the event of any doubt about a data point or an unusual event, we investigate jointly with the client to validate the information. By combining these elements – cutting‑edge technology, high standards, peer validation and client feedback – Meteorage guarantees reliable and accurate data that organisations can rely on with full confidence to make critical decisions.

We are committed to building a genuine partnership with our clients, so that they can get the most out of our solutions. In concrete terms, support is organised as follows: - Dedicated, multilingual customer support: our support is provided internally by Meteorage technicians, who can be contacted directly. It is available in several languages (French, English, Spanish, among others) to support users throughout Europe and worldwide. Whether for a technical question about the platform, assistance, or an alert configuration adjustment, our specialists are available. - Training and advisory services: we offer training sessions for clients (and their teams) to explain how the services work, best practices for dealing with thunderstorms, and how to integrate our alerts into safety protocols. This educational support can be complemented by customised advice: for example, helping an industrial client define the appropriate configuration of alert zones around their sites, or analyse their annual lightning statistics. Our goal is to effectively translate lightning data into clear operational decisions for each user. - Local sales team and close support: we have a sales team of 8 experts distributed across different geographical areas in Europe. They are closely aligned with the realities and sector‑specific constraints of our clients. Working in tandem with the technical team and our scientific experts, they ensure your challenges are fully understood and addressed with appropriate solutions. You therefore have a dedicated contact who follows your case and your needs over time. - Monitoring and continuous improvement: throughout the contract, we conduct regular reviews with clients (annual review, thunderstorm season report, etc.). Through our portal and website, users can also access up‑to‑date resources (e.g. educational documents, new features, product updates). This proactive approach aims to ensure that each client fully uses the tools and remains informed about developments. It is also within this framework that we collect feedback in order to continuously improve our services. - Long‑term relationship of trust: we are proud to build long‑term relationships; the exceptional loyalty of our clients (over 98% renewal rate) is proof of this. This loyalty is the result of responsive support, the fulfilment of our commitments, and genuine adaptability. In summary, choosing Meteorage is not only about accessing a platform, but also about benefiting from human support and the expertise of a passionate team. We ensure that our clients are never alone in facing thunderstorms: upstream advice, real‑time assistance and post‑event debriefing – everything is in place to build mutual trust and increase the “thunderstorm maturity” of each organisation we support.

For any question, assistance request or suggestion for improvement, you can access the Meteorage Help Centre and create a support ticket: 👉 https://meteorage.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portals/HELPDESK From this portal, you can: ask a general question, report a technical support need (usage, configuration, incident), suggest an improvement or new feature, consult our user guide and technical FAQ (available in French and English). You can also contact our support team via: Email: helpdesk@meteorage.com Phone: +33 (0)5 59 90 05 03 Each request automatically generates a tracking ticket, ensuring appropriate handling and resolution.

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