Severe Weather Early Warning System Severe Storm in

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Severe Weather Early Warning System Severe Storm in Mecca, Saudi Arabia 09/11/2015

Severe Weather Early Warning System Severe Storm in Mecca, Saudi Arabia 09/11/2015

Mecca, Saudi Arabia Severe Storm Event When: September 11, 2015 What: Thunderstorms, heavy rain

Mecca, Saudi Arabia Severe Storm Event When: September 11, 2015 What: Thunderstorms, heavy rain & high winds caused a crane crash tragedy that killed 107 people and wounded 238 Where: Mecca, Saudi Arabia: Grand Mosque, largest mosque in the world

Cloud-to-Ground Initial Detection First CG strikes detected in the region at 12: 04 pm

Cloud-to-Ground Initial Detection First CG strikes detected in the region at 12: 04 pm UTC, ~70 km from city center ~2. 5 hours before the crane tragedy occurred at 2: 45 pm UTC 3

Total Lightning Detection Major lightning activity developing SE of Mecca by 12: 45 pm

Total Lightning Detection Major lightning activity developing SE of Mecca by 12: 45 pm UTC 4

Total Lightning Detection First lightning activity detected near city center at 2: 10 pm

Total Lightning Detection First lightning activity detected near city center at 2: 10 pm UTC, ~35 min before tragedy 5

Total Lightning Detection Lightning activity in city center and around Mecca at time of

Total Lightning Detection Lightning activity in city center and around Mecca at time of crane tragedy, 2: 45 pm UTC 6

Tragedy The crane fell into the side of the mosque and through the roof

Tragedy The crane fell into the side of the mosque and through the roof during preparation for a Friday prayer session, one of the busiest times of the week

Tragedy The crane fell into the side of the mosque and through the roof

Tragedy The crane fell into the side of the mosque and through the roof during preparation for a Friday prayer session, one of the busiest times of the week

Total Lightning Network Animation

Total Lightning Network Animation

Conclusion Earth Networks first detected lightning activity in the region ~2. 5 hours before

Conclusion Earth Networks first detected lightning activity in the region ~2. 5 hours before the tragic event and ~70 km away from the city center. Prior to and at the time of the tragedy, Earth Networks had detected both CG and IC lightning activity in the city center.