Lightning on a European scale

Marc Bonnet, Mtorage

Zrich October 14, 2011
Abstract

The form and intensity of lightning varies between

different regions of Europe and evolves over time.
As a consequence of this time and space variability,
and due to the impact of lighting on economic and
human activities, the distribution of warning
information in a proper format for different
applications is of great importance

2
Content

Lightning variability over Europe

Lightning variation over space and time
Amplitude variation
A case study on variation due to the terrain
A real time situation
Lightning data users and usages
Users
Needs: to Evaluate, to Anticipate, to Diagnose
Conclusion, data availability

3
Euclid sensors and expected performances
Sensors for the EUCLID lightning detection network are
installed in the countries shown below.
The expected detecion efficiency of flashes to ground over
Switzerland is higher than 90 %

4
Lightning flash density
Europe 2006-2010

5
Lightning flash density
Europe 2006

6
Lightning flash density
Europe 2007

7
Lightning flash density
Europe 2008

8
Lightning flash density
Europe 2009

9
Lightning flash density
Europe 2010

10
 Lightning flash count per month
Europe 2006-2010
Although the lighting season lasts from May to October, the yearly
distribution pattern is variable
2500000

2000000

1500000 2006
2007
2008
2009
1000000 2010

500000

0
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
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 1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
3000000
3500000
4000000
4500000
5000000

0
500000
-200000
-190000
-180000
-170000
-160000
-150000
-140000
-130000
-120000
-110000
-100000
-90000
-80000
-70000
number of events)

-60000
-50000
-40000
-30000
-20000
-10000
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
Amplitude distribution

50000
60000
70000
80000
90000
100000
110000
120000
Amplitude distribution Nb Flash Europe 2006-2010

130000
140000
150000
160000
170000
180000
Distributions are different for positive and negative flashes (peak and

190000
200000
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Lightning flash count Cells with very low flash
count match high altitude
Switzerland 2001-2010 summits in the Alps

13
Average current negative flashes
Switzerland 2006-2010

Current pattern
does not match
high altitude
summits

14
Median ellipsis negative flashes
Switzerland 2006-2010

Location quality
pattern does not
match high
altitude summits

15
 Accuracy versus Amplitude
The plot of cells using
4,50 Accuracy and Amplitude
axis shows that the low
4,00 event-high altitude
population is not different
3,50
than the standard
3,00 population.

2,50
above 70 events
2,00 below 70 events

1,50 We can conclude that

lightning detection is
1,00
not affected by the
altitude, and that
0,50
lightning activity is
0,00 different on the
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 mountain
35 top.

5 years of data, 70 event threshold matches high altitude cells

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A real time situation: Sept 9, 2011

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Content

Lightning variability over Europe

Lightning variation over space and time
Amplitude variation
A case study on variation due to the terrain
A real time situation

Lightning data users and usages

Users
Needs: to Evaluate, to Anticipate, to Diagnose
Conclusion, data availability

18
 Lightning data usage:
Our customers
Network operators Sensitive sites
Telecoms and Utilities Aeronautics-Airports
Electricity, gas, water Agriculture
Telecommunication Food industry
Radio and TV broadcast Civil work
Transports Forests
Railway Industry
Aeronautic Chemical plants, oil, gas,
Boats metallurgy
Roads Harbors
Organizations Hospitals
Hydro Met, Defense Historical sites and places
Civil Security Recreational parks
Local authorities General public
Insurances Scientific research
 Lightning data usage:
functions and products
Evaluate 120
Distribution des impacts d'amplitude ngative

112

100

Lightning statistics

Nombre d'impacts
80
60 63
60

40

17 18 20
20 12
5 5

Lightning risk evaluation

4 2 3 1 2 1
0 0 0 0 0 0
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Amplitude en kA

Anticipate
Lightning Alarm
Real Time Observation
Web display
Flash density display
Diagnose
Lightning certificate
Lightning cartography
Web based lightning certificate
Lightning remote counter
Archived Observation
Data processing
Data flow
JObs

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Lightning data availability

Usage Evaluate Anticipage Diagnose

Variability
Long term X x
Short term X
Real time X
Quality x x
Amplitude X X

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Conclusion

The high variability of lighting in time, space and

amplitude as well as its rare event characteristics
make it necessary to take in account various
parameters when using lightning information
The lightning measurement system must be known
and stable
The lightning climatology is important when defining
standards and comparing various regions or periods
The real time availability of the information is key
when dealing with safety and operations
The accuracy of the location and the current value
are useful in forensic analysis

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