Cloud-to-ground lightning activity in Colombia: A 14-year study using lightning location system data

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.

Download Full-text

Baseline Consideration for Lightning Location System Based on Magnetic Field Direction Finding to Determine Optimal Grid Cell of Lightning Flash Density Map

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.781.292 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 781 ◽

pp. 292-295

Author(s):

Kongtrakul Nattanapong ◽

Rungseevijitprapa Weerapun

Keyword(s):

Grid Cell ◽

Direction Finding ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Magnetic Field Direction ◽

Grid Cells ◽

Lightning Strikes ◽

Location System ◽

Cloud To Ground Lightning ◽

Lightning Location System ◽

Density Map

Lightning flash density map from lightning location system is primary for lightning protection. The baseline of lightning location system affects not only location accuracy, but also accuracy of lightning flash density. In order to obtain lightning flash density map, the different baselines were studied to determine optimum grid cell. This paper utilizes the capabilities of Matlab® software to simulate grid cell by using magnetic direction finding technique and Marquardt method. These baselines were generated between 150 km and 250 km. In addition, grid cells were created at spatial resolutions of 10 km to 50 km, and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were randomly created at density, ranging from 1 to 10 strikes per square kilometer. The mean error values of lightning location system are obtained between 1.756 km and 2.885 km from baseline 150 km to 250 km. Size of optimal grid cells must be designed 21.8 km and 23 km for baselines 150 km and 250 km respectively.

Download Full-text

The European lightning location system EUCLID – Part 2: Observations

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/nhessd-3-5357-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (9) ◽

pp. 5357-5381 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

D. R. Poelman ◽

W. Schulz ◽

G. Diendorfer ◽

M. Bernardi

Keyword(s):

Triple Point ◽

Diurnal Cycle ◽

Lightning Activity ◽

European Continent ◽

Peak Current ◽

Location System ◽

European Cooperation ◽

Lightning Detection ◽

Lightning Location System ◽

Cg Lightning

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 triple point 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 numbers over sea than over land.

Download Full-text