Creating a Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Policy

Available on: Plus and Advanced Systems

Lightning policies use All Strike Types by default, which includes both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground strikes, and that’s what we recommend. In-cloud lightning often comes before the first ground strike, so a policy that uses all strike types can start a delay earlier.

If your organization’s safety plan calls for alerts based on cloud-to-ground strikes only, you can set a lightning policy to the Cloud to Ground option. This filters the policy to cloud-to-ground strikes only. Cloud-to-Ground policies are available Plus and Advanced plans.

What is a Cloud-to-Ground Lightning policy?

A Cloud-to-Ground lightning policy is a lightning policy set to the Cloud-to-Ground option. Standard lightning policies use All Strike Types, which includes in-cloud and cloud-to-ground strikes.

The Cloud to Ground option filters the policy so it only uses cloud-to-ground strikes to start delays, reset countdown timers and send all-clears. In-cloud strikes are ignored for that policy.

Everything else works like a standard lightning policy: zones, radius (2 to 50 miles), all-clear timers, messages and assignments.

Create a Cloud-to-Ground policy

You create and edit policies on the web app.

Important: You can’t change the strike type after the policy is saved. To move a policy from All Strike Types to Cloud to Ground, create a new policy.

1. Go to the Policies tab and click New Policy.
2. Name the policy.
3. Under Weather Variable, select Lightning.
4. Open the dropdown on the Lightning chip and choose Cloud to Ground. The chip changes from Lightning (all) to Lightning (C2G).
5. Read the warning banner that appears. You can close it with the X; it appears again the next time you open the policy.
6. Set your lightning zones and radius. The risk level text reads “Delay if Cloud-to-Ground lightning is within [x] miles.”
7. Set notifications and all-clear timers.
8. Assign locations, user groups, hardware or webhooks.
9. Click Save Policy. A confirmation appears with the same warning.
10. Click Save Policy again to confirm, or Cancel to go back.

The warning banner and save confirmation read:

“Alerts will ignore in-cloud lightning. Only cloud-to-ground strikes will trigger alerts and reset timers for this policy. In-cloud lightning often comes before ground strikes, so alerts may arrive later than with all strike types.”

After you save, the policy shows in your policy list with the subtext Lightning Distance (CG).

Use both policy types on one location

A location can have one All Strike Types policy and one Cloud-to-Ground policy. Each policy runs its own delays, timers and all-clears.

If you add a Cloud-to-Ground policy, we suggest keeping All Strike Types as your main safety policy.

Where you’ll see Cloud-to-Ground in the app

• Dashboard: The Lightning Status card shows a C2G icon and label. If the location has both policies, use the dropdown in the card to switch between All Strike Types and Cloud to Ground. A note under the timers reads “Status is based on cloud-to-ground strikes only. In-cloud lightning is not included.”

• Radar Map: Use the strike type filter to show All Strike Types or Cloud to Ground. Cloud-to-ground strikes have their own bolt icon. Changing the map filter also changes the Lightning Status card, and the other way around.

• Mobile App: You’ll see the same countdown dropdown, map filter and note. Policies are created and edited on the web.
• Alerts: Messages say “Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Strike” so recipients know which policy sent them. For example:
  • Delay alert: “Cloud-toGround Lightning Strike 2.6 miles from your location at 3:58 PM.”
  • All-clear alert: “Cloud-to-Ground 15 minute all clear, 0-10 mile zone from your location.”
• Widgets: Choose the Cloud-to-Ground policy in the widget builder. The widget shows “Cloud-to-ground only” under Lightning Status.
• Reports: In Policy Events reports, the Policy Type column lists these rows as Lightning (Cloud-to-Ground)

FAQs

Why don’t I see Cloud to Ground?

It’s available on Plus and Advanced plans. Contact your Account Manager for more information on upgrading if you’re currently on a core plan.

Will my existing lightning policy change?

No. Existing policies keep using All Strike Types.

Can I switch an existing policy to Cloud to Ground?

No. The strike type can’t be changed after a policy is saved. Create a new policy and choose Cloud to Ground instead.

Can I get Cloud-to-Cloud alerts?

No. All Strike Types already include in-cloud lightning along with cloud-to-ground strikes. Cloud to Ground is an option that filters a policy to ground strikes only, so the options are All Strike Types and Cloud to Ground.

Why did my Cloud-to-Ground policy alert later than my All Strike Types Policy?

In-cloud lightning often comes before ground strikes. A Cloud-to-Ground policy ignores in-cloud strikes, so its alerts may arrive later than a policy that uses all strike types.