Planetnik storm sensing & local warning network
Storm sensing & local warning network

Planetnik

We are building a community network for storm and cloud observation, powered by local StormNode devices.

The project name is inspired by the Polish Płanetnik — a folklore figure associated with clouds, rain, hail and storms. The modern Planetnik is a sensor network designed to help communities understand what is happening above their heads.

Planetnik — storm sensing & local warning network
StormNode A prototype local node for lightning detection and weather observation.
Local network Many measurement points will eventually contribute to a storm activity map.
Warning The project is being developed toward local alerts and community storm observation.
About the project

What is Planetnik?

Planetnik is a community-driven project for storm and local weather observation. We combine StormNode devices, telemetry data, sky images and a custom web panel to build a practical layer of local weather information.

Community storm observation network

We want to build a network of measurement points placed in real locations: balconies, plots, schools, workplaces and other safe mounting spots.

StormNode as a local node

StormNode detects lightning, collects environmental data, captures images and sends telemetry to the project panel.

Weather data and API

Planetnik network data is intended to be presented in the panel and exposed through an API, including historical data for participants and integrations.

Network & data

More than lightning detection

Planetnik is designed to combine data from synchronized StormNode clusters, estimate probable storm activity areas and enrich them with local telemetry.

StormNode clusters

Groups of synchronized nodes will help correlate detections and estimate probable event areas.

Weather data and API

Beyond detection, we plan to expose photos, temperature, humidity, pressure, GPS data and archives via API.

About us

A few people, one experiment and a growing network

Planetnik is being developed as a small private initiative by enthusiasts. We are currently self-funded, in an incubation stage and looking for a sustainable model that will allow the project to grow.

Incubation stage

We are building the first pilot network and developing StormNode, API and project infrastructure.

No separate legal form yet

At this stage we are not a foundation, association or company; we will consider the right form as the project grows.

Pilot network recruitment
Planetnik First Cluster

Help launch the first experimental StormNode network

We are looking for people willing to test a StormNode prototype in real locations: balconies, terraces, upper floors, gardens and open areas. The pilot will help us evaluate clustered nodes, storm-event correlation, telemetry quality and practical operating conditions.

Local nowcasting

Observing what is happening now — and what may happen shortly

Planetnik supports the idea of local nowcasting: short-term interpretation of current weather conditions in a specific area. We do not promise a classic tomorrow forecast — we focus on “here and now” signals: lightning, sky photos, telemetry, GNSS/GPS and data from StormNode clusters.

How do we understand nowcasting?

It is a local assessment of the situation in a very short horizon: from current observation to the next minutes or hours. In Planetnik, this means combining StormNode data with measurement history and nearby-node context.

StormNode: lightning detections, telemetry and device diagnostics.
Local context: temperature, humidity, pressure, sky image and GNSS/GPS.
Clusters: comparing signals from many nodes without publishing the full correlation methodology.
Technologies

Hardware, firmware and infrastructure

StormNode is built where electronics, firmware, web panel and server backend meet: from DFRobot modules and Arduino IDE v2, through C++ and PHP, to Rocky Linux, openSUSE, Proxmox, DirectAdmin, GitLab and Zabbix.

Firmware and sensors

C++ for ESP32, lightning sensor, BME280, GNSS/GPS, camera and 3D prototypes with Bambu Lab A1.

Panel and infrastructure

PHP, HTML/CSS/JS, Rocky Linux, openSUSE, Proxmox, DirectAdmin, GitLab, Zabbix, monitoring and Infrastructure as Code approach.

Project life

We build Planetnik step by step

This is not an off-the-shelf product. Planetnik grows through prototypes, field tests, lab notes, community ideas and StormNode iterations.

Płanetnik lab notes

Short notes about sensors, enclosures, firmware, panel, data and field testing.

Roadmap and FAQ

We show the direction without overpromising and without publishing the entire know-how.

Knowledge

A small knowledge base about storms and local weather

We collect short, practical articles about lightning, local weather observation, sensors, telemetry and how to understand StormNode network data.

Simple, but reliable

Not an encyclopedia — short texts for people who want to understand weather and the project.

Sources under articles

When we rely on external materials, we add source lists for further reading.

Community

We are looking for people

We are developing a pilot StormNode network and looking for people who can help test, mount and refine the devices in real-world conditions.

Enclosures and outdoor mounting

We need help with cases, sealing, mounting, 3D printing and practical outdoor installation.

Pilot network

We want to place prototypes on balconies, plots, schools, universities, workplaces and other safe locations.