National Lightning Detection Network Research Articles

Bayesian Analysis of the Detection Performance of the Lightning Imaging Sensors

Abstract Identical Lightning Imaging Sensors (LIS) aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM LIS, 1998–2015) and International Space Station (ISS LIS, 2017–23) have provided over two decades of lightning observations over the global tropics, with ISS LIS extending coverage into the midlatitudes. Quantifying the detection performance of both LIS sensors is a necessary step toward generating a combined LIS climatological record and accurately combining LIS data with lightning detections from other sensors and networks. We compare lightning observations from both LIS sensors with reference sources including the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and ground-based Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN), Earth Networks Global Lightning Network (ENGLN), National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), and Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360). Instead of a relative detection efficiency (DE) approach that assumes the perfect performance of the reference sensor, we employ a Bayesian approach to estimate the upper limit of the absolute DE (ADE) of each system being analyzed. The results of this analysis illustrate the geographical pattern of ADE as well as its diurnal cycle and yearly evolution. Reference network ADE increased by ∼15%–30% during the TRMM era, leading to a decline in TRMM LIS ADE. ISS LIS flash ADE has been relatively consistent at 61%–65%, about 4%–5% lower than TRMM LIS at the end of its lifetime.

How Much Lightning Actually Strikes the United States?

Abstract The number of cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes over the contiguous United States (CONUS) has been estimated to be from as small as 25 million per year to as many as 40 million. In addition, many CG flashes contact the ground in more than one place. To clarify these values, recent data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) have been examined since the network is performing well enough to make precise updates to the number of CG flashes and their associated ground contact points. The average number of CG flashes is calculated to be about 23.4 million per year over the CONUS, and the average number of ground contact points is calculated as 36.8 million per year. Knowledge of these two parameters is critical to lightning protection standards, as well as better understanding of the effects of lightning on forest fire initiation, geophysical interactions, human safety, and applications that benefit from knowing that a single flash may transfer charge to the ground in multiple, widely spaced locations. Sensitivity tests to assess the effects of misclassification of CG and in-cloud (IC) lightning are also made to place bounds on these estimates, and the likely uncertainty is a few percent.

Inter-Comparison of Lightning Measurements in Quasi-Linear Convective Systems

Data from four lightning networks collected during three quasi-linear convective systems (QLCS) are used to understand the differences in detection for optimizing their combined use. Additionally, using unique aspects from each network provides a more complete picture of lightning in a thunderstorm. The four lightning networks examined include a Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN), the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), and the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). The data from each network are inter-matched and locations where each network uniquely detected a flash versus all are analyzed in reference to three QLCSs, including two QLCSs that occurred in the Southeast (22 March 2022 and 30 March 2022) during the Propagation, Evolution, and Rotation in Linear Systems (PERiLS) field campaign, and one case from Oklahoma (26 February 2023). Unique aspects of the lightning provided by each network are examined, including flash initiation altitude, size, type, and energy. Lightning flash trends and characteristics for each QLCS are similar between networks in general, but deviate in certain conditions and locations. Times of decreased matching between networks were associated with localized increases in lightning rates, smaller flash sizes, and lower-energy flashes. The differences in each network’s performance across the QLCSs demonstrates the importance of understanding the limitations in each and the advantage of using multiple networks.

Characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning (CG) and differences between +CG and −CG strokes in China regarding the China National Lightning Detection Network

Abstract. A lightning location system consisting of multiple ground-based stations is an effective means of lightning observation. The dataset from CNLDN (China National Lightning Detection Network) in 2016–2022 is employed to analyze the temporal and spatial lightning distributions and the differences between +CG (positive cloud-to-ground lightning) and −CG (negative cloud-to-ground lightning) strokes in China. On the annual scale, lightning activity is most prevalent during the summer months (June, July, and August), accounting for 72.6 % of the year. Spring sees more lightning than autumn, and winter has only a small amount in southeastern coastal areas. During the day, the frequency of lightning peaks at 15:00–17:00 CST (China standard time) and is lowest at 8:00–10:00 CST. For the period with high CG stroke frequency (summer of a year or afternoon of a day), the proportion of +CG strokes and the discharge peak current are relatively small. Winter in a year and morning or midnight in a day correspond to a greater +CG stroke proportion and discharge current. Spatially, low latitudes, undulating terrain, the seaside, and humid surfaces are favorable factors for lightning occurrence. Thus, the southeast coastland has the largest lightning stroke density, while the northwest deserts and basins and the western and northern Tibetan Plateau, with altitudes over 6000 m, have almost no lightning. The proportion of +CG strokes and the peak current are low in the southern region with high density but diverse in other regions. The Tibetan Plateau causes the diversity of lightning activity in China and lays the foundation for studying the impact of surface elevation on lightning. Results indicate that the +CG stroke proportion on the eastern and southern Tibetan Plateau is up to 15 %, larger than the plain regions. The peak current of −CG strokes is positively correlated with altitude, but +CG strokes show a negative correlation, resulting in a large difference in peak current between +CG and −CG on the plain and a small difference on the plateau.

ENSO and MJO Modulation of U.S. Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Activity

Abstract Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning substantially impacts human health and property. However, the relations between U.S. lightning activity and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), two predictable drivers of global climate variability, remain uncertain, in part because most lightning datasets have short records that cannot robustly reveal MJO- and ENSO-related patterns. To overcome this limitation, we developed an empirical model of 6-hourly lightning flash count over the contiguous United States (CONUS) using environmental variables (convective available potential energy and precipitation) and National Lightning Detection Network data for 2003–16. This model is shown to reproduce the observed daily and seasonal variability of lightning over most of CONUS. Then, the empirical model was applied to construct a proxy lightning dataset for the period 1979–2021, which was used to investigate the summer MJO–lightning relationship at daily resolution and the winter–spring ENSO–lightning relationship at seasonal resolution. Overall, no robust relationship between MJO phase and lightning patterns was found when seasonality was taken into consideration. El Niño is associated with increased lightning activity over the coastal Southeast United States during early winter, the Southwest during winter through spring, and the Northwest during late spring, whereas La Niña is associated with increased lightning activity over the Tennessee River valley during winter. Significance Statement Cloud-to-ground lightning is dangerous for humans via direct strikes or through triggering wildfires, generating air pollution, etc. How lightning activity can be affected by climate remains unclear, and it is challenging to study their links because the data record for lightning is short. With the available lightning record, we developed a model that relates lightning flash counts over the United States to environmental factors. This model well represents observed fluctuations in daily and seasonal lightning over most of the United States. Because the model only needs environmental information to predict lightning flash counts, we were able to construct a longer record of predicted lightning based on the longer data record of environmental variables. With this dataset, we investigated the links between lightning and climate and found that the state of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) is linked to changes in U.S. lightning patterns in winter and spring.

An Investigation on Spatiotemporal Sizes of Specific Types of Lightning Flashes

AbstractThe duration and horizontal extension distance (HED) of intracloud (IC), negative cloud‐to‐ground (NCG), positive cloud‐to‐ground (PCG), and bipolar cloud‐to‐ground (BCG) lightning are analyzed using data from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array and the National Lightning Detection Network. All of these conform to lognormal distributions. BCG lightning has the greatest average spatiotemporal size, owing to its longest‐duration and largest‐spatial‐extension discharge process after the first return stroke (RS). Compared with NCG lightning, PCG lightning tends to include longer‐duration and greater‐spatial‐extension discharge processes before the first RS, making the latter have a larger average spatiotemporal size. IC lightning exhibits the smallest average spatiotemporal size, with a higher concentration of samples in smaller size intervals. Overall, as lightning initiation heights increase, IC and NCG lightning duration tends to increase, while NCG lightning variation is mainly due to discharge processes before the first RS. HED of both types initially increases and then decreases, peaking at ∼7 km. The horizontal extension speed (HES) of IC lightning tends to decrease with increasing initiation height, while for NCG lightning, the HES associated with discharge processes before the first RS shows a clearer decreasing trend at higher levels. The NCG lightning initiated below ∼6 km tends to exhibit similar HED before the first RS and increased HED after the first RS. However, for NCG lightning initiated above ∼6 km, the HED before the first RS is notably greater than the increased HED after the first RS.

First High‐Speed Video Camera Observations of a Lightning Flash Associated With a Downward Terrestrial Gamma‐Ray Flash

AbstractIn this paper, we present the first high‐speed video observation of a cloud‐to‐ground lightning flash and its associated downward‐directed Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flash (TGF). The optical emission of the event was observed by a high‐speed video camera running at 40,000 frames per second in conjunction with the Telescope Array Surface Detector, Lightning Mapping Array, interferometer, electric‐field fast antenna, and the National Lightning Detection Network. The cloud‐to‐ground flash associated with the observed TGF was formed by a fast downward leader followed by a very intense return stroke peak current of −154 kA. The TGF occurred while the downward leader was below cloud base, and even when it was halfway in its propagation to ground. The suite of gamma‐ray and lightning instruments, timing resolution, and source proximity offer us detailed information and therefore a unique look at the TGF phenomena.

Spatial Structure of Lightning and Precipitation Associated with Lightning-Caused Wildfires in the Central to Eastern United States

The horizontal storm structure surrounding 92,512 lightning-ignited wildfires is examined in the mid to eastern sections of the United States from 2003 to 2015 using Vaisala’s National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), NCEP’s Stage IV gauge-corrected radar precipitation mosaic, and the US Forest Service’s Fire Occurrence Database. Though lightning flash density peaks strongly around fire ignitions on the instantaneous 1 km scale, on the hourly 10 km scale, both the lightning and precipitation peaks are typically offset from fire ignitions. Lightning density is higher, and precipitation is lower around ignition points compared to non-ignition points. The average spatial distribution of total lightning flashes around fire ignitions is symmetrical, while that of precipitation and positive flashes is not. Though regression is consistent with the claim that positive flashes have a stronger association with ignition than negative flashes, the statistical significance is ambiguous and is contradicted by an unchanging positive flash fraction in the vicinity of wildfires.

Distribution of lightning spatial modes and climatic causes in China

This paper investigates the distribution of spatial modes of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning activity across China's land areas during the period 2010–20 and their possible causes based on the CG lightning dataset of the China National Lightning Detection Network. It is found that the first empirical orthogonal function mode (EOF1) occupies 32.86% of the total variance of the summer CG lightning anomaly variation. Also, it exhibits a negative–positive–negative meridional seesaw pattern from north to south. When the SST of the East Pacific and Indian Ocean warms abnormally and the SST of the Northwest Pacific becomes abnormally cold, a cyclonic circulation is stimulated in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and tropical West Pacific region of China. As the water vapor continues to move southwards, it converges with the water vapor deriving from the Bay of Bengal in South China, and ascending motion strengthens here, thus enhancing the CG lightning activity of this area. Affected by the abnormal high pressure, the corresponding CG lightning activities in North China and Northeast China are relatively weak. The ENSO phenomenon is the climate driver for the CG lightning activity occurring in land areas of China.摘要本文利用中国气象局国家雷电监测网 (CNLDN) 的地闪观测数据集, 分析了2010–2020年中国陆地区域地闪空间模态分布特征及其可能的气候成因. 研究发现, 夏季地闪第一模态的方差贡献率为32.86%, 其分布从北到南呈现出“−+−”的经向跷跷板模式. 当东太平洋和印度洋的海温异常增暖, 西北太平洋的海温异常变冷时, 在中国黄海, 东海及热带西太平洋地区激发出气旋性环流. 随着水汽南下至华南地区, 与来自孟加拉湾的水汽汇合, 上升运动在此加强, 从而使得该地区的雷电活动增强. 表明厄尔尼诺-南方涛动 (ENSO) 现象, 是发生在中国陆地区域的地闪活动的气候驱动因子.

Atmospheric Gamma-ray Observations at the Telescope Array Detector

Previously in AtmoHead-2018, we reported joint observations by Telescope Array Surface Detector (TASD), Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), sferic sensor and broadband interferometer of particle showers coincident with lightning. These consisted of energetic showers of approximately less than 10 microsecond duration with footprints on the ground of 3-6 kilometers in diameter, originating in the first one to two milliseconds of downward lightning leaders and coincident with high-current processes within the leaders. Scintillator waveform and simulation studies confirmed that these showers must consist primarily of gamma radiation.On September 11, 2021, atmospheric discharges emitting gamma rays were, for the first time, recorded by a high-speed camera and by lightning detectors on the ground simultaneously. The events were detected by the Telescope Array located in the Utah desert and were filmed by the Phantom v2012 camera, set at an acquisition rate of 40,000 frames per second (fps) in conjunction with the Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), an interferometer, a fast antenna, and the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Results from this study reported the new observation of several events of significantly longer duration and higher uence, bridging the gap between the TASD and satellite-based detections. These events further demonstrate the similarity between the upward and downward TGF varieties and the likelihood of a common origin for their production.

Lightning assimilation in the WRF model (Version 4.1.1): technique updates and assessment of the applications from regional to hemispheric scales

Abstract. The lightning assimilation (LTA) technique in the Kain–Fritsch convective parameterization in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been updated and applied to continental and hemispheric simulations using lightning flash data obtained from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN), respectively. The LTA technique uses lightning data to trigger the Kain–Fritsch convective parameterization via realistic temperature and moisture perturbations. The impact of different values for cumulus parameters associated with the Kain–Fritsch scheme on simulations with and without LTA were evaluated for both the continental and the hemispheric simulations. Comparisons to gauge-based rainfall products and near-surface meteorological observations indicated that the LTA improved the model's performance for most variables. The simulated precipitation with LTA, using WWLLN lightning flashes in the hemispheric applications, was significantly improved over the simulations without LTA when compared to precipitation from satellite observations in the equatorial regions. The simulations without LTA showed significant sensitivity to the cumulus parameters (i.e., user-toggled switches) for monthly precipitation that was as large as 40 % during convective seasons for monthly mean daily precipitation. With LTA, the differences in simulated precipitation due to the different cumulus parameters were minimized. The horizontal grid spacing of the modeling domain strongly influenced the LTA technique and the predicted total precipitation, especially in the coarser scales used for the hemispheric simulation. The user-definable cumulus parameters and domain resolution manifested the complexity of convective process modeling both with and without LTA. These results revealed sensitivities to domain resolution, geographic heterogeneity, and the source and quality of the lightning dataset.

A Large Database of Lightning‐Induced Electron Precipitation Events

AbstractLightning‐induced Electron Precipitation (LEP) events represent a known loss mechanism for radiation belt electrons. The quantitative role LEP events play in the radiation belt dyanmics, however, is not fully understood. Direct measurements of the D region of the ionosphere, where LEP electrons are deposited, are very limited. However, Very Low Frequency (VLF) remote sensing has for a long time been used to detect perturbations in the D region, in particular using the narrow‐frequency signals of VLF transmitting beacons. We present an automated neural‐network based search for LEP events using our network of VLF receivers in the continental US detecting, seeded by National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) lightning strokes. We arrive at a database of nearly 26000 LEP events over a span of 18 months within the continental USA. We find several notable patterns in the occurrence and behavior of events, such as 30.1% of events only containing disturbances in phase, and a substantially greater probability of perturbations in phase and major axis amplitude being negative.

Assessing the Impact of Lightning NOx Emissions in CMAQ Using Lightning Flash Data from WWLLN over the Contiguous United States

Comparison of lightning flash data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) over the contiguous United States (CONUS) for the 2016–2018 period reveals temporally and spatially varying flash rates that would influence lightning NOx (LNOx) production due to known detection efficiency differences especially during summer months over land (versus over ocean). However, the lightning flash density differences between the two networks show persistent seasonal patterns over geographical regions (e.g., land versus ocean). Since the NLDN data are considered to have higher accuracy (lightning detection with >95% efficiency), we developed scaling factors for the WWLLN flash data based on the ratios of WWLLN to NLDN flash data over time (months of year) and space. In this study, sensitivity simulations using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model are performed utilizing the original data sets (both NLDN and WWLLN) and the scaled WWLLN flash data for LNOx production over the CONUS. The model performance of using the different lightning flash datasets for ambient O3 and NOx mixing ratios that are directly impacted by LNOx emissions and the wet and dry deposition of oxidized nitrogen species that are indirectly impacted by LNOx emissions is assessed based on comparisons with ground-based observations, vertical profile measurements, and satellite products. During summer months, the original WWLLN data produced less LNOx emissions (due to its lower lightning detection efficiency) compared to the NLDN data, which resulted in less improvement in model performance than the simulation using NLDN data as compared to the simulation without any LNOx emissions. However, the scaled WWLLN data produced LNOx estimates and model performance comparable with the NLDN data, suggesting that scaled WWLLN may be used as a substitute for the NLDN data to provide LNOx estimates in air quality models when the NLDN data are not available (e.g., due to prohibitive cost or lack of spatial coverage).

Characteristic analysis of lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau using ground-based remote sensing

The spatiotemporal distribution of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau is investigated in this study by using a 5-year dataset (2016–2020) from the ground-based National Lightning Detection Network (CNLDN). The correlations between the lightning activities and different meteorological factors in the region are also analyzed. The results show that there is an obvious difference in the spatial distribution of lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau during the 5 years, with high lightning density in the east and low lightning density in the west. The lightning activities shift and gather more towards the eastern plateau especially after 2019. Affected by the quasi-stationary front in Kunming, the spatial distributions of lightning flashes in cold and warm seasons are different. On the other hand, the frequency of the lightning activities varies from year to year, such as the surge in 2019. But in general, 62% of the lightning activities are produced in summer and the lightning flashes occur more often in the afternoon and evening on the Yungui Plateau. Additionally, it is found that lightning activities in the 5 years are closely related to precipitation and temperature, while there is a weak correlation with relative humidity and almost no correlation with sensible heat flux. The analysis also indicates that the CAPE×P (convective available potential energy times precipitation rate) proxy can be effectively used to describe and predict lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau as the lightning flashes corresponds well to CAPE×P, especially of the spatial distribution.

Utilizing the High-Resolution Ensemble Forecast System to Produce Calibrated Probabilistic Thunderstorm Guidance

Abstract The High-Resolution Ensemble Forecast system (HREF) calibrated thunder guidance is a suite of probabilistic forecast products designed to predict the likelihood of at least one cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash within 20 km (12 miles) of a point during a given 1-, 4-, and 24-h time interval. This guidance takes advantage of a combination of storm attribute and environmental fields produced by the convection-allowing HREF to objectively improve upon lightning forecasts generated by the non-convection-allowing Short-Range Ensemble Forecast system (SREF). This study provides an overview of how the HREF calibrated thunder guidance was developed and calibrated to be statistically reliable against observed CG lightning flashes recorded by the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Performance metrics for the 1-, 4-, and 24-h guidance are provided and compared to the respective SREF calibrated probabilistic lightning forecasts. The HREF calibrated thunder guidance has been implemented operationally within the National Weather Service and is now available to the public. Significance Statement The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has created a suite of new calibrated probabilistic thunderstorm guidance products from a convection-allowing model ensemble, the HREF. The new guidance is a notable improvement over the long-running SREF calibrated thunder guidance and is now operational across the National Weather Service.

Convective environments leading to microburst, macroburst and downburst events across the United States

Downbursts are strong downdrafts of negatively buoyant air associated with convective storms and are capable of producing severe near-surface winds. Microbursts and macrobursts are subcategories of downbursts with the horizontal extent of damaging winds smaller or larger than 4 km, respectively. From January 2000 to June 2020, the Severe Weather Event Reports provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information (hereafter: Storm Events Database) contained 927 downburst, 914 microburst, and only 27 macroburst entries. We found a spatial variability of reported downbursts that is unlikely to be a result of natural processes, but rather artificially caused by the population density. An example of this bias is the abrupt decline in the number of reported events between southern and northern Arizona. Combining the Storm Events Database, ERA5 reanalysis and lightning data from the National Lightning Detection Network, we showed that cold pool strength, low-level lapse rates, WINDEX, lifted condensation level, DCAPE, WMAXSHEAR, derecho composite parameter, 2-m temperature, delta theta-e and mean low-level relative humidity demonstrate some value in downburst prediction. By combining the best predictor (cold pool strength) with the least correlated WMAXSHEAR, we created a downburst environment index (DEI) and used it to model climatological frequency of favorable downburst environments. Our analysis has shown that favorable downburst environments conditioned on lightning are the most frequent during summer over Southwest and Southeast with the most extreme environments across Great Plains. The vertical profiles of theta-e for the downburst events from reanalysis are further compared against nonsevere thunderstorms and rawinsonde data from four downburst field measurement campaigns. The results show that changes in theta-e over the lowest 200 hPa are the most important for downburst formation.

Lightning climatology across the Chinese continent from 2010 to 2020

Understanding the lightning climatological distribution is of great significance but remains challenging which is in part due to the lack of continuous and uniform lightning observations. In this paper, for the first time, an 11-year ground-based cloud-to-cloud lightning dataset of China National Lightning Detection Network from 2010 to 2020 is used to investigate the lightning climatology over China's land area in terms of spatial distribution, seasonal, monthly and diurnal variations. Lightning activity in China's land area generally decreases from south to north and from east to west. The mean cloud-to-ground lightning density of China's land area is 0.9 fl km−2 yr−1, with the average maximums (exceeding 10 fl km−2 yr−1) are found in the south and east coastal provinces, such as Guangdong, Hainan, Fujian and Zhejiang Province. The lightning activity in spring, summer and autumn seems consistent throughout the daytime cycle, with the lightning activity is rather weak in the morning and most active in the afternoon, while winter lightning appears to be more active in the nighttime and in the very early morning produced from nocturnal thunderstorms. The cloud-to-ground lightning activity in the tropical and subtropical areas within 15–25°N is mainly concentrated in the late spring and early summer, with two weak peaks in May and August, while lightning in mid latitudes within 25–55°N mainly occurs in the summer (June–July-August). The percentage of positive cloud-to-ground lightning flashes with peak current higher than 75 kA is more than 3 times than that of negative cloud-to-ground lightning flashes. Meanwhile, the mean peak current of cloud-to-ground lightning flashes shows an inverse diurnal pattern to the cloud-to-ground lightning activity.

One Strike, You’re Out: Lightning during Professional Baseball Games

Abstract Millions of people attend Major League Baseball games every year, during a season that is played primarily outdoors at the peak of the U.S. lightning season. In recent years, social media photographs and baseball game television broadcasts have revealed lightning within proximity of several baseball games without the game being delayed. Lightning data from the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network within 12.8 km of 9717 Major League Baseball games between 2016 and 2019 were examined to find the extent to which lightning is a threat to games, players, staff, and fans: 717 games were found to have lightning within 12.8 km, with more than 175 000 in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning discharges detected during those games. The distribution of games with lightning was not uniform and is related to the annual average lightning density of each ballpark. Despite the significant risk of a lightning-related incident at Major League Baseball games, existing work from other organizations like the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the National Athletics Trainers Association can be leveraged to improve lightning safety at professional baseball games. Significance Statement Nearly one of every 14 Major League Baseball games has lightning within what lightning safety experts would consider an unsafe distance. The potential for a lightning casualty incident is high because most games are played outdoors and millions of people are at baseball games every year. Although frameworks that can improve lightning safety at the thousands of professional baseball games that are played every year exist, it is unclear how frequently they are implemented.

A Geostationary Lightning Pseudo-Observation Generator Utilizing Low-Frequency Ground-Based Lightning Observations

Abstract Coincident Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) observations are used to build a generator of realistic lightning optical signal in the perspective to simulate Lightning Imager (LI) signal from European NLDN-like observations. Characteristics of GLM and NLDN flashes are used to train different machine-learning (ML) models, which predict simulated pseudo-GLM flash extent, flash duration, and event number per flash (targets) from several NLDN flash characteristics. Comparing statistics of observed GLM targets and simulated pseudo-GLM targets, the most suitable ML-based target generators are identified. The simulated targets are then further processed to obtain pseudo-GLM events and flash-scale products. In the perspective of lightning data assimilation, flash extent density (FED) is derived from both observed and simulated GLM data. The best generators simulate accumulated hourly FED sums with a bias of 2% to the observation while cumulated absolute differences remain of about 22%. A visual comparison reveals that hourly simulated FED features local maxima at the similar geolocations as the FED derived from GLM observations. However, the simulated FED often exceeds the observed FED in regions of convective cores and high flash rates. The accumulated hourly area with FED > 0 flashes per 5 km × 5 km pixel simulated by some pseudo-GLM generators differs by only 7%–8% from the observed values. The recommended generator uses a linear support vector regressor (linSVR) to create pseudo-GLM FED. It provides the best balance between target simulation, hourly FED sum, and hourly electrified area.

Insights on Space‐Leader Characteristics and Evolution in Natural Negative Cloud‐to‐Ground Lightning

AbstractWe present sub‐microsecond‐scale, high‐speed video camera observations of three negative stepped leaders in cloud‐to‐ground flashes with return‐stroke peak currents (estimated by the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network) of −17, −104, and −228 kA. The camera frame exposure times for these observations were 1.8, 1.0, and 0.74 µs, respectively. The 0.74 µs exposure time is the shortest reported to date. We observed the temporal and spatial evolution of space leaders from their inception to their attachment to the pre‐existing leader channel (PELC). For stepped leaders that led to return strokes having higher peak currents, the space leaders appear to have incepted at farther median two‐dimensional distances from their respective PELC‐attachment points. These median distances were 6.1, 16.6, and 17.6 m, respectively, for the three strokes. Our observations indicate that space leader characteristics are likely influenced by stepped‐leader line‐charge‐density, which is expected to be higher in strokes with higher return‐stroke peak currents.