National Grid Helps to Improve Storm Monitoring in Northern New York with WeatherBug Station

New station at Franklin County Emergency Services provides access to real-time, localized weather data

MALONE, N.Y. – With severe weather events becoming more commonplace in upstate New York, National Grid is installing 24 WeatherBug® weather stations, in partnership with Earth Networks, in portions of National Grid’s Upstate New York service area.

Malone is home to one of the newest locations, with a station recently installed at Franklin County Emergency Services. The data from the station will help the community of Malone, as well as National Grid, make better weather-related safety decisions by using localized weather information through WeatherBug mobile apps and online.

“National Grid is closely tuned in to real-time weather changes to ensure we are ready before a storm hits the region,” said Melanie Littlejohn, regional executive of National Grid, Central New York division. “WeatherBug technology will enhance our storm-readiness and help to better prepare communities early on. With a more robust network of local weather-monitoring stations, National Grid will be able to monitor and respond to local weather situations much more accurately, which should help to increase the safety of our customers and crews and reduce the amount of time it takes to restore power after a storm passes.”

Of the 24 stations National Grid has committed to installing, 12 are in National Grid’s Central New York division while the others are in Eastern New York. The WeatherBug stations are at fire departments, schools and public buildings across the region to help keep communities safer by providing real-time alerts and forecasts to first responders and others. In the past, Franklin County and many other communities have relied on weather reports from urban centers located more than 25 miles away. The WeatherBug stations provide residents and officials with a source of more accurate, localized weather information.

Earth Networks, the parent company of WeatherBug, operates the nation’s largest weather-observing and lightning network. The Maryland-based company has been deploying weather sensors at schools and making weather more hands-on for 20 years. Today, the network includes sensors at thousands of schools, public buildings, parks and other sites throughout the country that provide live, continuous weather data.

“Real-time, local weather provides communities with critical information on approaching weather – including severe thunderstorms, snow and ice and extreme heat – to help first responders, school officials and utilities better prepare for and respond to whatever Mother Nature has in store,” said Dennis Stewart, meteorologist and energy solutions account executive, Earth Networks. “We are delighted that National Grid is taking the lead in making hyperlocal weather data available throughout New York state.”

The on-site weather station at Franklin County Emergency Services measures 27 weather attributes, including temperature, wind speed and direction, precipitation and humidity. The station will also calculate heat index, an essential factor in maintaining public safety. Additionally, WeatherBug’s mobile app for Android™ and iPhone® will allow residents to monitor real-time weather in their neighborhood, and a Spark™ feature reports the distance of the nearest lightning to help users take action early and stay safe.

“The WeatherBug station will allow us to better monitor weather right here in Malone, New York, and throughout the rest of Franklin County,” said Ricky Provost, director, Franklin County Emergency Services. “People now have access to local, up-to-date weather conditions right in their own home, which will help them better plan and prepare for inclement weather.”

To view real-time weather information from Franklin County Emergency Services, please click here.

About WeatherBug®

Millions rely on WeatherBug’s apps and website for the best forecasts, the fastest alerts and more. Our sensors, deployed at thousands of schools, major sports stadiums, broadcast TV stations and public safety facilities, put the power of the largest commercial-grade weather network at your fingertips.

Our exclusive Spark™ feature is the only tool that puts minute-by-minute, mile-by-mile lightning detection in the palm of your hand on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. WeatherBug is operated by Earth Networks. Learn more at www.earthnetworks.com.