Self-consistent leader inception and propagation model —SLIM—: Response to some criticism

Abstract

The self-consistent leader inception and propagation model —SLIM— has been increasingly used to study the attachment of lightning flashes to grounded structures. However, criticism about some assumptions of SLIM has been raised in a recent publication. This paper intends to reply to this criticism and to openly discuss the validity of the model. Moreover, solid scientific evidence from theory and experiments is presented to support the validity of the assumptions considered by SLIM. It is shown that the streamer corona charge calculation and the leader inception condition used by SLIM give proper estimates which are completely justified. In addition, it is shown that the predictions of this state-of-the-art model based on the latest developments in the physics of leader discharges has been found in agreement with results available from laboratory, rocket triggered lightning experiments and field observations.