Near real-time sources of lightning strike data

EarthNetworks

Earth Networks Total Lightning NetworkTM (ENTLN)

"incorporates patent pending systems and methods for the detection of lightning activity to provide unmatched global IC and CG detection efficiency. It is the first integrated in-cloud (IC) lightning and cloud-to-ground (CG) detection network deployed on a global basis capable of detecting long range IC lightning at high efficiencies critical for the advanced prediction of severe weather phenomena such as:"

Tornadoes/cyclones
Heavy rainfall/monsoons
Downburst winds/wind shear
Cloud-to-Ground lightning strikes

'Approximately 600 wideband lightning sensors deployed globally' PDF http://www.earthnetworks.com/Portals/0/pdf/ENTLN%20Global%20Slick_v4.pdf

Anyone looking at this question from the UK should check out the Met Offices excellent DataPoint service, which provides (for free) a lightning strikes layer (15 minute updates with 15 minute delay for processing, based on strikes per minute) amongst many other things.

All you need is a free API key and you can access up to date information for the UK, and you are actively encouraged to use the data in your own products. Most of their data is released under the Open Government Licence.

Weatherbug Professional has a paid lightning strike service:

• Current Lightning - Lightning latitude/longitude, strength and type (cloud-to-ground, cloud-tocloud) of strikes that have occurred in the last 2 minutes.
• 15 Minute Lightning - Lightning latitude/longitude, strength and type (cloud-to-ground, cloudto-cloud) of strikes that have occurred in the last 15 minutes.
• 30 Minute Lightning - Lightning latitude/longitude, strength and type (cloud-to-ground, cloudto-cloud) of strikes that have occurred in the last 30 minutes.

See page 10 of this PDF.