Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Modeling global lightning distributions in a general circulation model

Journal Article · · Monthly Weather Review
;  [1]
  1. NASA, Goddard for Space Studies, New York, NY (United States)
A general circulation model (GCM) is used to model global lightning distributions and frequencies. Both total and cloud-to-ground lightning frequencies are modeled using parameterizations that relate the depth of convective clouds to lightning frequencies. The model`s simulations of lightning distributions in time and space show good agreement with available observations. The model`s annual mean climatology shows a global lightning frequency of 77 flashes per second, with cloud-to-ground lightning making up 25% of the total. The maximum lightning activity in the GCM occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summer, with approximately 91% of all lightning occurring over continental and coastal regions.
Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, New York, NY (United States). Goddard Inst. for Space Studies
OSTI ID:
53397
Journal Information:
Monthly Weather Review, Journal Name: Monthly Weather Review Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 122; ISSN MWREAB; ISSN 0027-0644
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Global lightning activity and climate change. Ph.D. Thesis
Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1992 · OSTI ID:218147

Global lightning activity and climate change
Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1993 · OSTI ID:106809

NO{sub x} from lightning 1. Global distribution based on lightning physics
Journal Article · Fri Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of Geophysical Research · OSTI ID:587206