Lightning locating systems: Insights on characteristics and validation techniques

Abstract

Ground-based and satellite-based lightning locating systems are the most common ways to detect and geolocate lightning. Depending upon the frequency range of operation, LLSs may report a variety of processes and characteristics associated with lightning flashes including channel formation, leader pulses, cloud-to-ground return strokes, M-components, ICC pulses, cloud lightning pulses, location, duration, peak current, peak radiated power and energy, and full spatial extent of channels. Lightning data from different types of LLSs often provide complementary information about thunderstorms. For all the applications of lightning data, it is critical to understand the information that is provided by various lightning locating systems in order to interpret it correctly and make the best use of it. In this study, we summarize the various methods to geolocate lightning, both ground-based and satellite-based, and discuss the characteristics of lightning data available from various sources. The performance characteristics of lightning locating systems are determined by their ability to geolocate lightning events accurately with high detection efficiency and with low false detections and report various features of lightning correctly. Different methods or a combination of methods may be used to validate the performance characteristics of different types of lightning locating systems. We examine these methods and their applicability in validating the performance characteristics of different LLS types.

Lightning Decision Support Using VHF Total Lightning Mapping and NLDN Cloud-to-Ground Data in North Alabama

“…The second is the NALMA, which is currently used to devise proxy datasets for the arrival of the new GLM instrument. For a complete discussion of various lightning detection methods and intercomparision of detection systems, please review Cummins and Murphy (2009), Nag et al (2015) and Bitzer and Burchfield (2016).…”

“…The NLDN operates in the low frequency range between 1 and 350 kHz and consists of 113 sensors across the United States (Buck et al 2014). The NLDN has a reported detection efficiency of CG flashes between 90 and 95%, with spatial errors in CG location that are typically <500 m (Cummins and Murphy 2009, Buck et al 2014, Koshak and Solakiewicz 2015, Nag et al 2015. Only CG information from the NLDN is used in this study because the IC flash detections the NLDN now incorporate into their data are not present for the entire period of analysis.…”

“…Only CG information from the NLDN is used in this study because the IC flash detections the NLDN now incorporate into their data are not present for the entire period of analysis. It is estimated that the NLDN can detect 40-50% of IC lightning (Buck et al 2014, Nag et al 2015. For an example of the application of IC lightning information from the NLDN, please see Holle et al (2016).…”

“…Most lightning safety initiatives over the last several decades have utilized the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN; Orville, 2008, Cummins and Murphy 2009, Nag et al 2015 for lightning safety applications. These are point data sources, which provide the end user an idea of the exact location of a ground flash, the polarity of that ground flash, and its magnitude.…”

Lightning Related Human Risks and Risk Management

“…There are many methods that have been used to measure ground flash density. A comprehensive discussion and comparison of available lightning detection systems has been given in Nag et al [55].…”