Alarms faster.
A Severe Storm Detector can
alarm faster than any other technology, because it scans for
storms directly. There are no delays, which are common to human-initiated warnings.
A faster warning translates into more time to
get to safety.
Works anywhere.
A Severe Storm Detector operates where
there is no wireless internet or Weather Radio coverage. The
unit is independent; there is no software, computer or cloud
access required. And it continues working on a 9V battery
backup, even if an approaching storm takes down power, cell
service, etc. The internal battery also allows the unit to
go where there is no power (to the park, beach, etc.).
Watches while you sleep.
The Severe Storm Detector is
critical
for notification at night. It has a bright strobe to alert
you if you are awake and includes a 90 dB siren to wake you if
you are asleep.
Helps the most vulnerable.
The device is
critical for someone who is sight or hearing impaired.
Especially useful in manufactured housing or motorhomes,
campgrounds and anywhere people recreate outdoors.
Is portable.
The Severe Storm Detector
can function in a moving vehicle – via an optional 12V
adapter – without screen distraction.
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Customer Reviews |
"This Severe
Storm Detector is great. I had warnings of a potential
tornado before the National Weather Service alert.” |
David
Flad, VP,
Avon Grove Emergency, PA |
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“On June 18
[2021] we had some severe thunderstorms move through
Warren County, Ohio. I have 2 of the detectors, and both
read "Severe Storm," but the National Weather Service
Office did not issue a warning for our county at that
time. Later the devices indicated "Tornado Risk" and not
much longer after that displayed "Tornado." About 10 to
15 minutes afterward, NWS did issue a tornado warning
and said that the tornado was in Warren County. So, I
can tell you, these devices do work, and sometimes
deliver alerts sooner than NWS.” |
Tim,
Maineville, OH |
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"I will share
that last night about 7:45 PM my Severe Storm Detector
alarm went off with 'TORNADO RISK' on the display. About
5 minutes later, my Weather Radio Receiver alarmed with
a 'Tornado Warning' for our county. I thought you should
know. The tornado was 14 miles south of us and did not
touch down. But this Detector alerted me a full 5 minutes ahead
of the NOAA Weather Radio warning.” |
Jeff Gill,
Franklin, NC |
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"The weather
quickly deteriorated after suppertime (about 6 PM
EDT).The Severe Storm Detector began "waking up" and
reporting lightning then severe weather. Then at around
11:10 PM, the tornado warning message was displayed. The
NWS weather radio said nothing about a tornado actually
near us but simply a tornado warning was in effect for a
fairly broad area. After a few minutes of indecision, we
decided to go to the safe room. At 11:20 PM, the safe
room door was closed and locked. Within a minute or so,
we heard the tornado roar by. We sheltered for about 15
minutes before opening the door to check if it was safe
to get back out. As best I can tell, the Severe Storm
Detector gave us 10-15 minutes of early warning in which
we had time to warn other family members and get to
shelter ourselves. I have heard similar timeframes from
others that own this device." |
Gary
Ownsby, AK4ZX, Chattanooga, TN |
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FAQs
(Mouse over for answers.) |
Is Severe Storm Detector just a Weather Radio receiver or
internet app?
No. Just like a smoke detector triggers on the presence of smoke in your house, the Severe Storm Detector uses direct-detection technology to alert you when it detects the presence of severe storms within 30 miles. That includes lightning, severe thunderstorms and tornados. It does not rely on any commercial infrastructure such as the NOAA Weather Radio Network or a wireless internet signal.
A Severe Storm Detector independently monitors electrical activity in the atmosphere using radio frequencies – much like a smoke detector continuously monitors the air in your house for smoke. There is no service to sign up for or a signal coverage map to reference.
As a result, a Severe Storm Detector can function anywhere in the planet: even in remote areas where there is no Dopplar radar to detect tornados; even where there are no
NOAA Weather Radio or wireless internet services to deliver storm warnings. Sometimes, Weather Radio and wireless services are offline due to the very storms they are supposed to be warning you about; but a Severe Storm Detector continues to protect you, unaffected by outages.
Its battery backup allows it to operate even when the power goes out. Because it senses violent weather directly; there are no “system delays” in the delivery of its warnings. And unlike Weather apps and the NOAA Weather Radio Network, the notifications you receive are pertinent only to your specific location – not an entire region or county.
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How does Severe Storm Detector detect a severe storm or tornado?
The Severe Storm Detector measures the amount and character of electrical energy in the atmosphere within 30 miles of a given location, identifying specific electrical signatures indicative of low intensity lightning storms, non-severe and severe thunderstorms, the immediate risk of tornado formation and tornadoes. From a measurement of electrical signal intensity, it estimates storm distance from your position.
The Severe Storm Detector monitors specific radio frequencies with an internal antenna and keys on electrical patterns emitted when severe storms and tornadoes form, much as the NOAA GOES-R weather satellite does.
When air rotates with dust or water particles, it becomes electrified. Nobel Laureate Philip Lenard, as far back as 1905, studied the phenomenon. More recently NASA has studied and measured these electrical charges extensively.
The Severe Storm Detector is based on 40 years of NASA-validated research into severe storm formation, and became reality as a result of the advent of the microprocessor, on which its design is based.
Inside the Detector is a small computer connected to a receiving antenna that is constantly scanning atmospheric radiation and running thousands of calculations at sub-millisecond rates. It then runs secondary calculations to accurately approximate the distance of the threat in relation to the unit’s precise position.
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Submit your question about the
Severe Storm Detector.
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Click arrow to play 2-min
video that explains how the technology works.
See also how and why this
device was invented in "Warn Me Faster." |
This revolutionary device incorporates
NASA-proven technology to alert you when damaging storms or
tornados approach your location. Severe weather can develop so
suddenly that statistically, the National Weather Service and
internet-based services are only able to issue advance warnings
60% of the time.* But the Severe Storm Detector (SSD.20)
continually monitors atmospheric conditions directly and
notifies you with both visual and aural alarms when violent
storms are close by, providing you valuable time to seek safety.
It includes a proximity read-out, so you can determine how close
a severe storm is to your location in real time. Indications
include tornadic activity, the presence of severe storms and
lightning. Field testing demonstrates a 95% accuracy rate,
making a Severe Storm Detector a natural adjunct to conventional
weather warning systems.
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