HACKENSACK, N.J. — Hackensack is considering spending nearly $151,000 on a weather warning system designed to alert students, athletes and park visitors when lightning and dangerous storms approach.

The proposed system would monitor weather conditions at city parks and school athletic fields, automatically warning people when lightning or other severe weather threatens outdoor activities.

The city is working with the Hackensack Board of Education on the project, which would use equipment from Perry Weather Inc., a company that provides weather monitoring and lightning detection systems for schools, parks and athletic facilities.

The equipment would track nearby lightning and issue automated alerts, allowing coaches, school officials and park staff to clear fields and move people to safety before dangerous weather arrives.

According to News 12, the nearly $151,000 price tag includes equipment, installation and subscriptions.

Hackensack has already secured a $63,825 grant from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund to help cover the cost.

If the full grant is applied to the purchase, approximately $87,000 would remain to be funded through other sources.

The city has also applied for a second grant on behalf of the school district, although the amount and status of that application were not specified.

Under the proposal, Hackensack would purchase the equipment through a cooperative purchasing agreement, which the city's purchasing agent recommended as the best available price.

The system could provide an added layer of protection for children participating in school sports, residents using city parks and families attending outdoor events.

However, several details remain unresolved.

The proposed resolution does not identify the specific parks or school athletic fields where the equipment would be installed. It also does not establish an installation schedule.

The purchase is not yet final and requires approval by the Hackensack City Council.

If approved, the system would give the city and school district a centralized way to monitor approaching storms and warn people at outdoor facilities before severe weather puts them at risk.