Local News
Local News

North Fayette school joins Georgia Tech lightning study

A solar-powered sensor will be installed on the roof of North Fayette Elementary School as part of Georgia Tech’s North Georgia Lightning Mapping Array. Courtesy Georgia Tech Research Institute
A solar-powered sensor will be installed on the roof of North Fayette Elementary School as part of Georgia Tech’s North Georgia Lightning Mapping Array. Courtesy Georgia Tech Research Institute
By Jill HowardChurch
Sept 4, 2019

North Fayette Elementary School will soon participate in a study of lightning in partnership with the Severe Storms Research Center at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

The SSRC is placing tripod-mounted antenna sensors at locations across north Georgia to collect real-time data that will improve the lead time for safety warnings issued by the National Weather Service and other emergency agencies. North Fayette was chosen because it is located away from VHF radio waves that can interfere with the sensors. Students will get regular project updates from the Tech researchers during the school year to learn more about weather science.

Board of Education Chairman Scott Hollowell assured attendees at the Aug. 26 board meeting that the sensor device does not actually attract lightning.

About the Author

Jill HowardChurch
More Stories

The Latest

A man walks in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Matias Delacroix/AP)

Credit: AP

Atlanta’s Jamaican community rallies as Hurricane Melissa batters the island

29m ago

A baby had 30 broken bones. Parents blamed a car crash, police say

2h ago

Deputies kill man who chased them with knife, then find his mom dead, police say

Featured

Peggy Harris (foreground) stocks the shelves at Sandy's IGA, which is the only grocery store in town, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Sparta. Hancock County has one of the highest rates of childhood food insecurity in the country. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Despite a $14.6 billion surplus, state leaders say they can’t bail out SNAP

The federal government says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will run out of money Nov. 1. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says there is nothing the state can do.

Husband of child services director fled DUI crash with kids in truck, GSP says

Authorities say the husband of Georgia's child protective services director had a blood alcohol level 4 times the legal limit when he left a crash with two kids in his truck.

Kirby Smart: LSU coaches ‘borrow’ offices, adds context to Brian Kelly firing

Georgia coach Kirby Smart understands the pressure at LSU, and how that combined with playoff expectations led to Brian Kelly being fired despite a .708 win percentage.