A lightning prediction system detects atmospheric conditions likely to produce lightning strikes in a certain area and sounds an auditory alert, warning those nearby that lightning is imminent and giving them the chance to find safety before the storm actually impacts the area. Lightning protection systems are often installed in outdoor areas which are often congested with people, lack sufficient substantive shelter, and are difficult to evacuate quickly (such as water parks, college campuses, and large swimming pool

Swimming pool

A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...

 or athletic field complexes) as these locations are particularly dangerous during lightning storms.
The first lightning prediction system, the Lightning detector

Lightning detector

A lightning detector is a device that detects lightning produced by thunderstorms. There are three primary types of detectors: ground-based systems using multiple antennas, mobile systems using a direction and a sense antenna in the same location , and space-based systems.The device was invented in...

, was invented in 1894 by Alexander Stepanovich Popov

Alexander Stepanovich Popov

Alexander Stepanovich Popov was a Russian physicist who was the first person to demonstrate the practical application of electromagnetic waves....

.