Characteristics of negative cloud-to-ground lightning over land and ocean

Amitabh Nag, Kenneth L. Cummins

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined peak currents and magnetic field risetimes for negative return strokes occurring over land and ocean in Florida reported by the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). The risetimes were measured by a single NLDN sensor located less than two kilometers from the coastline in Florida. We analyzed lightning occurring in five circular regions, each with 50 km diameter. 69% and 72% of the flashes over land and ocean, respectively, contained both NLDN-reported cloud pulses and CG strokes in western Florida. In eastern Florida, 59% of the flashes over land and 49% and 46% of the flashes over the two oceanic regions contained both NLDN-reported cloud pulses and CG strokes. The percentage of flashes that had at least one NLDN-reported negative cloud pulse prior to the first negative CG stroke was found to be about the same over land and ocean. The median NLDN-reported negative first stroke peak current over ocean was found to be higher than that over land. The median threshold-to-peak, 10-to-90%, and 10-to-50% magnetic field risetimes were found to be somewhat longer and the median 50-to-90% risetime slightly shorter for return strokes occurring over ocean than those for return strokes over land.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2016 33rd International Conference on Lightning Protection, ICLP 2016
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781509058433
StatePublished - Dec 19 2016
Event33rd International Conference on Lightning Protection, ICLP 2016 - Estoril, Lisboa, Portugal
Duration: Sep 25 2016Sep 30 2016

Publication series

Name2016 33rd International Conference on Lightning Protection, ICLP 2016
Volume2016-January

Conference

Conference33rd International Conference on Lightning Protection, ICLP 2016
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityEstoril, Lisboa
Period9/25/169/30/16

Keywords

  • Characteristics
  • Magnetic fields
  • Negative cloud-to-ground lightning
  • Oceanic lightning
  • Peak current
  • Return strokes
  • Risteime

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering

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