The data is collected from the UK Met Office ATD (Arrival Time Difference) Network and uses the following basis:
- if lightning occurred and was forecast = high accuracy
- if lightning occurred and wasn't forecast = low accuracy
- if lightning was forecast but didn't occur = low accuracy
- if lightning wasn't forecast and didn't occur = high accuracy
The overall accuracy can then be determined by comparing the number value in each grid square to the total number of forecasts issued. The higher the number value in a grid square, the lower the accuracy. The number value in each grid square cannot, and will not, be higher than the total number of forecasts issued, for obvious reasons.