Lightning Warning System

The Arlington Heights Park District has installed a THOR GUARD lightning prediction and warning systems at the Arlington Lakes and the Nickol Knoll Golf Clubs. The system is operational from April 1 to November 1, seven days a week from 5 am-9 pm. Horns are tested monthly during the operational period on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 am.

How it works: When the system detects conditions that could trigger lightning, it emits a 15 second blast warning players to take cover. The warning blast sounds like an air horn. A strobe light stays lit until the system sounds an all-clear signal by emitting three short blasts.

You may hear the sirens if you're in the vicinity of the golf clubs: Arlington Lakes Golf Club, 1211 S. New Wilke Road and Nickol Knoll Golf Club, 3900 N. Kennicott Avenue.

Lightning causes approximately 10 deaths per year in Illinois. Most people injured by lightning are not directly hit, but receive injuries from currents that flow through the body in the vicinity of lightning striking to the ground. A lightning prediction and warning system tracks storm activity and measures static electricity in the atmosphere. When conditions are present that could trigger lightning, the device emits a warning blast.