Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lightning Detection in Spain: The Particular Case of Catalonia

  • Chapter
Lightning: Principles, Instruments and Applications

Abstract

This chapter reviews the lightning detection in Spain. It focuses on the region of Catalonia (NE Spain), which has the particularity of being covered by two different lightning detection systems. Since 1992, the Spanish Lightning Detection Network provides the location and characteristics of the cloud-to-ground lightning activity for the whole country. In 2003, an interferometric detection system was installed in Catalonia, providing total lightning data for this region. The performance of this system was evaluated using experimental field measurements. Afterwards, the chapter summarizes some aspects of the lightning climatology in Spain and Catalonia. Finally, in the particular case of Catalonia, other aspects are reviewed, like the convective precipitation and the lightning relationship, and the total lightning activity in hail episodes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Alonso, S., A. Portela, and C. Ramis (1994). First considerations on the structure and development of the Iberian thermal low. Ann. Geophys., 12: 457–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buechler, D.E., and S.J. Goodman (1990). Echo size and asymmetry: Impact on NEXRAD storm identification. J. Appl. Met., 29: 962–969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branick, M.L., and C.A. Doswell III (1992). An observation of the relationship between supercell structure and lightning ground strike polarity. Wea. Forecast., 7: 143–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carey, L.D., and S.A. Rutledge (1998). Electrical and multiparameter radar observations of a severe hailstorm. J. Geophys. Res., 103(D12): 13979–14000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caracena, F., R.A. Maddox, L.R. Hoxit, and C.F. Chappell (1979). Mesoanalysis of the Big. Thompson Storm. Mon. Wea. Rev., 107: 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Correoso J.F., E. Hernández, R. García-Herrera, D. Barriopedro, and D. Paredes (2006). A 3-year study of cloud-to-ground lightning flash characteristics of Mesoscale convective systems over the Western Mediterranean Sea. Atmos. Res., 79(2): 89–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Pablo F., and L. Rivas Soriano (2002). Relationship between cloud-to-ground lightning flashes over the Iberaian Peninsula and sea surface temperature. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 128: 173–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraley, C., and A.E. Raftery (2003). Enhanced model-based clustering, density estimation, and discriminant analysis software: MCLUST. J. Classif., 20(2): 263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García Mollá, P.J. (1910). La section électrique, Mèmories de l’Observatoire de l’Èbre, Ed. Gustavo Gili, Barcelona.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrero, M., M.J. Prohom, and A. Rius (2007). Identificació, catalogació i digitalització dels registres climàtics de Catalunya (ss. XVIII a XXI). XIII Jornades de Meteorologia Eduard Fontserè, pp. 121–129. Barcelona.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempf, N.M., and E.P. Krider (2003). Cloud-to-ground lightning and surface rainfall during the great flood of 1993. Mon. Wea. Rev., 131: 1140–1149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knupp, K.R., S. Paech, and S. Goodman (2003). Variations in cloud-to-ground lightning characteristics among three adjacent tornadic supercell storms over the Tennessee valley region. Mon. Wea. Rev., 131: 172–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, T.J., S.A. Rutledge, J.E. Dye, M. Venticinque, P. Laroche, and E. Defer (2000). Anomalously low negative cloud-to-ground lightning flash rates in intense convective storms observed during STERAO-A. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128: 160–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, T.J., and S.A. Rutledge (2002). Relationships between convective storm kinematics, precipitation, and lightning. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130: 2492–2506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, T.J. et al. (2004). The severe thunderstorm electrification and precipitation study (STEPS). Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 85: 1107–1125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacGorman, D.R., D.W. Burgess, V. Mazur, W.D. Rust, W.L. Taylor, and B.C. Johnson (1989). Lightning rates relative to tornadic storm evolution on 22 May 1981. J. Atmos. Sci., 46: 221–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansell, E.R., D.R. MacGorman, C.L. Ziegler, and J.M. Straka (2005). Charge structure and lightning sensitivity in a simulated multicell thunderstorm. J. Geophys. Res., 110(D12): D12101, doi:10.1029/2004JD005287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martín León, F., F. Elizaga, O. Carretero, and I. San Ambrosio (2007). Diagnóstico y predicción de la conveción profunda. Nota Técnica STAP 35, Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, pp.174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molinie G., S. Soula, and S. Chauzy (1999). Cloud-to-ground lightning activity and radar observations of storms in the pyrénées range area. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 125(560): 3103–3122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montanyà, J., N. Pineda, V. March, A. Illa, D. Romero, and G. Solà (2006). Experimental evaluation of the Catalan Lightning Detection Network. 19th International Lightning Detection Conference, Tucson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montanyà J., S. Soula, and N. Pineda (2007a). A study of the total lightning activity in two hailstorms, J. Geophys. Res., 112: D13118, doi:10.1029/2006JD007203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montanyà J., S. Soula, N. Pineda, O. van der Velde, P. Clapers, G. Solà, J. Bech, and D. Romero (2007b). Study of the total lightning activity in a hailstorm. 13th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity, Beijing, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, M.D., and R.H. Johnson (2000). Organizational modes of midlatitude mesoscale convective systems. Mon. Wea. Rev., 128: 3413–3436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez Puebla, F. and C. Zancajo Rodríguez (AEMET) (2008). La frecuencia de las tormentas eléctricas en España. Boletín de la quinta etapa de la Asociación Meteorológica Española, Vol. 21, pp. 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, W.A., and S.A. Rutledge (1998). On the relationship between cloud-to-ground lightning and convective rainfall. J. Geophys. Res., 103: 14025–14040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pineda, N., T. Rigo, J. Bech, and X. Soler (2007). Lightning and precipitation relationship in summer thunderstorms: Case studies in the North Western Mediterranean region. Atmos. Res., 85(2): 159–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakov, V.A., and M.A. Uman (2003). Lightning: Physics and effects. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp.687.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rius, A., M.J. Prohom, and M. Herrero (2008). Identification and digitization of instrumental climate data from Catalan documentary sources (19th and 20th centuries). International Workshop on Rescue and Digitization of Climate Records in the Mediterranean Basin. Proceedings of the MEDARE Workshop – WMO (WCDMP nˆ 67 – WMO-TD n° 1432), June 2008, pp. 109–112. Tarragona.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reap, R.M., and D.R. MacGorman (1989). Cloud-to-ground lightning: Climatological characteristics and relationships to model fields, radar observations, and severe local storms. Mon. Wea. Rev., 117: 518–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richard, P., and J.Y. Lojou (1996). Assessment of application of storm cell electrical activity monitoring to intense precipitation forecast. In 10th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity, Osaka, Japan, pp. 284–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivas Soriano, L., F. De Pablo, and E. García Díez (2001a). Cloud-to-ground lightning activity in the Iberan Peninsula: 1992–1994. J. Geophys. Res., 106(D11): 11891–11901.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivas Soriano, L., F. De Pablo, and E. García Díez (2001b). Relationship between convective precipitation and cloud-to-ground lightning in the Iberian Peninsula. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129(12): 2998–3003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivas Soriano, L., and F. De Pablo (2002). Maritime cloud-to-ground lightning: The Western Mediterranean Sea. J. Geophys. Res., 107(D21): 4597–4608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivas Soriano, L., F. De Pablo, and C. Tomas (2005). Ten-year study of cloud-to-ground lightning activity in the Iberian Peninsula. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 67(16): 1632–1639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romero, R., C.A. Doswell III, and R. Riosalido (2001). Observations and fine-grid simulations of a convective outbreal in northeastern Spain: Importance of diurnal forcing and convective cold pools. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129: 2157–2182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rust, W.D. et al. (2005). Inverted-polarity electrical structures in thunderstorms in the severe thunderstorm electrification and precipitation study (STEPS). Atmos. Res., 76(1–4): 247–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seity, Y., S. Soula, and H. Sauvageot (2001). Lightning and precipitation activities in coastal thunderstorms. J. Geophys. Res., 106(D19): 22801–22816.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan, S.C., J.F. Griffiths, and R.E. Orville (1997). Warm season cloud-to-ground lightning–precipitation relationships in the south-central United States. Wea. Forecast., 12(3): 449–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soula, S., and S. Chauzy (2001). Some aspects of the correlation between lightning and rain activities in thunderstorms. Atmos. Res., 56: 355–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soula, S., Y. Seity, L. Feral, and H. Sauvageot (2004). Cloud-to-ground lightning activity in hail-bearing storms. J. Geophys. Res., 109(D2): D02101, doi:10.1029/2003JD003669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, M., R.A. Houze Jr., and S.E. Yuter (1995). Climatological characterization of three-dimensional storm structure from operational radar and rain gauge data. J. Appl. Meteorol., 34, 1978–2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stolzenburg, M. (1994). Observations of high ground flash densities of positive lightning in summertime thunderstorms. Mon. Wea. Rev., 122: 1740–1750.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tapia, A., J.A. Smith, and M. Dixon (1998). Estimation of convective rainfall from lightning observations. J. Appl. Meteorol., 37: 1497–1509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomás C., F. Fernando de Pablo, and L. Rivas Soriano (2004). Circulation weather types and cloud-to-ground flash density over the Iberian Peninsula. Int. J. Climatol., 24(1): 109–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tudurí E., and C. Ramis (1997). On the environments of significant convective events in the Western Mediterranean. Wea. Forecast., 12: 294–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, S.A., W.D. Rust, D.R. MacGorman, E.C. Bruning, and P.R. Krehbiel (2007). Evolving complex electrical structure of the STEPS 25 June 2000 multicell storm. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136(2): 741–756.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiens, K.C., S.A. Rutledge, and S.A. Tessendorf (2005). The 29 June 2000 supercell observed during STEPS. Part II: Lightning and charge structure. J. Atmos. Sci., 62: 4151–4177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, E.R., M.E. Weber, and R.E. Orville (1989). The relation ship between lightning type and convective state of thunderclouds. J. Geophys. Res., 94(D11): 13213–13220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, E., B. Boldi, A. Matlin, M. Weber, S. Hodanish, D. Sharp, S. Goodman, R. Raghavan, and D. Buechler (1999). The behavior of total lightning activity in severe Florida thunderstorms. Atmos. Res., 51: 245–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, E.R. (2001). The electrification of severe storms. Meteorol. Monogr., 28(50): 527–561.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Y., X. Qie, and S. Soula (2002). A study of the relationship between cloud-to-ground lightning and precipitation in the convective weather system in China. Ann. Geophy., (20): 107–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteorological Service of Catalonia), C/ Berlín 38–46, 08029 Barcelona, Spain

    Nicolau Pineda & Joan Montanyà

Authors
  1. Nicolau Pineda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joan Montanyà
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany

    Hans Dieter Betz

  2. Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, 82230 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

    Ulrich Schumann

  3. Physics Instrumentation and Sensing Department ONERA, 29 avenue de la Division Leclerc, BP 72, 92322 Chatillon, France

    Pierre Laroche

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pineda, N., Montanyà, J. (2009). Lightning Detection in Spain: The Particular Case of Catalonia. In: Betz, H.D., Schumann, U., Laroche, P. (eds) Lightning: Principles, Instruments and Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9079-0_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation