Benefits of Very High Frequency Total Lightning Mapping over Very Low or Low Frequency Cloud Lightning Detection for Meteorological Applications

Over a decade of lightning research conducted at universities, meteorological services/institutes, and Vaisala have shown that all areas where cloud lightning is overhead are at risk for cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning. The only effective way to capture the full CG lightning threat is with VHF (very high frequency) total lightning mapping provided by Vaisala TLS200/LS8000 technology. 

As a thunderstorm approaches a fixed asset (90% of the time) where people are located, VHF cloud lightning mapping provides 10s of minutes of lead time before the first cloud-to-ground strokes reach this asset. At times when a thunderstorm develops directly over the fixed asset (~10% of the time), the cloud flash detection efficiency exceeding 90% maximizes lead time during thunderstorm growth because cloud flashes usually precede CG lightning. 

Most critically, VHF cloud lightning mapping vastly improves CG lightning warnings by eliminating false alarms. For severe weather nowcasting, lightning data provide more frequent updates than radar to decision makers. Rapidly increasing cloud flash rates indicate a strengthening storm updraft capable of producing large hail. Rapidly decreasing cloud flash rates indicate a weakening storm updraft as rainfall and strong winds reach the ground.

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