Lightning Density Observations

Attribution:
 from the Canadian Lightning Detection Network (CLDN) is provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Contains information licenced under the  

Lightning density observations are a critical component of the Canadian Mesonet Portal, offering real-time data on the frequency and distribution of lightning strikes across Canada. Unlike in-situ weather stations, radar, or satellite imagery, lightning density measurements focus specifically on electrical activity in the atmosphere, providing early indications of severe weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes. Lightning is often one of the first signs of storm development, making these observations invaluable for detecting rapidly intensifying weather systems.

The inclusion of lightning density data in the Canadian Mesonet Portal, through the Northern Mesonet Project, enhances our ability to monitor and assess convective storms in real time. This data is particularly useful in areas with limited radar or ground-based observations, ensuring comprehensive coverage of storm activity across Canada’s vast and remote regions. By combining lightning observations with radar, satellite, and in-situ data, the Portal provides a multi-faceted view of severe weather, improving forecasting accuracy, storm tracking, and public safety. This integrated approach empowers researchers, emergency responders, and the public with the timely information they need to better understand and prepare for hazardous weather.

 

History:

Established in 1998, the Canadian Lightning Detection Network (CLDN) consists of more than 80 lightning sensors strategically placed across Canada. It forms part of the larger North American Lightning Detection Network (NALDN), which monitors lightning activity across much of the continent and stands as the largest lightning detection network in the world.

Operating 24/7, year-round, the CLDN detects cloud-to-ground lightning strikes and a smaller proportion of cloud-to-cloud strikes. The system can track up to 45,000 lightning strikes per hour, although typical peak lightning activity in Canada generally falls below 25,000 strikes per hour.

 

 

CLDN.jpg
Picture provided by the Government of Canada

Data Description:

Description provided by the . Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.

The data provided here is a spatio-temporal aggregation of observations from this network, with an accuracy of a few hundred meters. Specifically, every 10 minutes, the observations are processed as follows:

  • The locations of lightning strikes (both cloud-to-ground and intra-cloud) from the previous 10 minutes are extracted.
  • A regular horizontal grid, approximately 2.5 km by 2.5 km, is used to count the number of lightning flashes observed within each grid cell.
  • The grid data is then normalized by the exact area of each cell (in km²) and the 10-minute accumulation period to calculate flash density, expressed in flashes per km² per minute.
  • A mask is applied to exclude data from locations more than 250 km beyond Canadian land or sea borders.