THOR GUARD SYSTEM

Thanks to Dicks Sporting Goods and Pinellas County United PC, the Walter Fuller Sports Complex uses the Thor Guard Lightning System, an advanced warning system, to monitor and detect lightning across the entire complex. All players and parents should understand how the Thor Guard Lightning system functions and follow the rules and regulations it sets.

HOW THOR GUARD SYSTEM WORKS

​​This system is installed on top of our maintenance shed, which is situated between our main soccer fields and the baseball fields. It detects lightning within a few miles of the complex. The system has three stages: Green - All Clear, Yellow - Caution, and Red - Immediate danger. When it reaches red, a loud horn will sound to alert everyone to the immediate danger.

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• The system will alert all participants in the park when conditions turn hazardous and lightning is detected within a 2-mile radius.
  

• When lightning is detected, a 15-second warning horn will sound, and the strobe lights, located on top of the Maintenance Building, will flash.

• All players and visitors in the park must take shelter in their cars. Do not wait under trees, picnic canopies, or overhangs of concession buildings. Board rooms will be closed.



• When it is safe to return to the fields, a 3-5 second horn will sound, and the strobe light will turn off.

THOR GUARD DATA REFERENCE GUIDE

Background:

A THOR GUARD Lightning Prediction System monitors the electrostatic "charge" of the atmosphere to predict when lightning is likely to occur. For a lightning strike to happen in your area, there must be a "build-up" of the electrostatic field. A THOR GUARD Lightning Prediction System includes the following basic components:

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• Energy Level: At the top of the ThorPCX display (just below the logo) will be the Energy Level indicator that displays the relative amount of positive (yellow) or negative (red) charge in the atmosphere. Under normal conditions (no rain, storms, or high winds), the energy display will show only a small amount of charge, which is normally positive (yellow). When storms approach or develop nearby, you will see a build-up of positive charge. As lightning moves in closer, or when a storm is developing close to your area, you will generally see a build-up of negative energy. Typically, when a strike occurs within the sensor range, you will see a transition from negative to positive. The faster this reversal in charge occurs, the closer the strike. During high winds, you will typically see a build-up of positive charge. As the "charge" in the atmosphere increases, the Thor Guard will give you an alert level corresponding to the threat of lightning. These levels will be displayed in the graphic display immediately below the Energy Level.​​

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• Warning Levels: The Warning level window is located just below the Energy Level
• ALL CLEAR - No Threat
• CAUTION - No immediate threat, but the situation should be monitored if storms are developing or rain is in the area. A "Caution" level is normal with rain showers.
• WARNING - Thunderstorms and/or high winds are in the area. The unit should be closely monitored. Lightning is in the area, or a t-storm is developing nearby or overhead.
• RED ALERT - The potential for lightning is high; all activities should stop.

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• Lightning Information Box:  Located below the Lightning Alert and Emergency Alert indication area is the Lightning Information Area that contains the following information:
• LHL: Lightning Hazard Level. A number from 1-9. One means a 10% chance of lightning, and 9 means a 90% chance of lightning within the Sensor Range (normally 12-15 miles). An LHL greater than 4 indicates lightning is occurring or has the potential of occurring in your area.
• DI : Dynamic Index. Number from 1.0 - 9.9  "1" means 10% chance, and 9.9 means 99% chance of lightning within proximity of your sensor location. A DI > zero means there is lightning in the area!
• AD:  Alarm Level. Whenever you get a Red Alert, the AD starts at 10, meaning you have at least 10 minutes before you can get an All Clear signal. The AD will reset itself to 10 until all static charge is out of the area, and play can resume. The AD will count down when no "new" energy surges have been detected.
• FCC:  Field Collapse Count. Basically, the FCC number gives you an idea of how many lightning strikes have occurred within the sensor range. It is helpful to watch the FCC count as the system goes from Caution-Warning-Red Alert, as it allows you to see how "active" a storm is in terms of lightning strikes.

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Typical readings on a THOR GUARD System during the development and/or approach of a storm are: 

LHL= 6 - 9
DI= 1.6 - 4.0 (If a DI of 3 occurs, then the system will go to Red Alert)
AD= 10
FCC = 10 - 50

INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE



• During Red Alerts we ask that ALL PLAYERS remain in their parent's vehicle until further notice.

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•  During Red Alerts we ask that PARENTS ARE PRESENT with their vehicles in the Sports Complex to provide a safe place for their child to wait during weather delays. Waiting under the picnic overhang or outside will not reduce the chances of getting hit by lightning. All players are asked to be in the safest possible place at this time which is a car.

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• Players are asked to wait in their vehicles until 1 of 2 notifications: 
• The Sounding of the Thor Guard Siren indicating it is safe to be outside. The Light will turn off as well.
•  A text message from the team manager communicating the cancelling of practice.