The European lightning location system EUCLID – Part 2: Observations

Dieter Roel Poelman,Gerhard Diendorfer,Marina Bernardi,Wolfgang Schulz

doi:10.5194/nhess-16-607-2016

Abstract

Abstract. Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning data from the European Cooperation for Lightning Detection (EUCLID) network over the period 2006–2014 are explored. Mean CG flash densities vary over the European continent, with the highest density of about 6 km−2 yr−1 found at the intersection of the borders between Austria, Italy and Slovenia. The majority of lightning activity takes place between May and September, accounting for 85 % of the total observed CG activity. Furthermore, the thunderstorm season reaches its highest activity in July, while the diurnal cycle peaks around 15:00 UTC. A difference between CG flashes over land and sea becomes apparent when looking at the peak current estimates. It is found that flashes with higher peak currents occur in greater proportion over sea than over land.

Highlights

Numerous ground-based lightning location systems (LLSs) exist to date employing different types of sensors and detection techniques, enabling the user to detect cloud-toground (CG) and/or intra- and inter-cloud electrical activity
In this paper we report on the cloud-to-ground lightning characteristics over most of Europe based on the observations of the European lightning location system European Cooperation for Lightning Detection (EUCLID)
In the same way as the amount of detections per month are expressed in percentages with respect to the total activity, a similar conversion factor has been applied to the SD to translate it into percentages

Summary

Introduction

Numerous ground-based lightning location systems (LLSs) exist to date employing different types of sensors and detection techniques, enabling the user to detect cloud-toground (CG) and/or intra- and inter-cloud electrical activity. While it is clear that over the European continent flash densities vary from one region to another, it is not straightforward to combine latter studies into one coherent picture due to the different LLSs, observational periods and grid resolutions used, as well as changes in the performance over time for a particular LLS. Another approach to investigate the European lightning density in a more coherent way is by making use of a long-range VLF lightning network.

Data and methodology

Temporal statistics

Flash density

Multiplicity

Lightning peak current

Summary