North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array Data for GOES-R Satellite Validation

North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) data captures total lightning activity in three dimensions during the GOES-R Post Launch Test airborne campaign. The dataset was produced by the GHRC DAAC to validate the Geostationary Lightning Mapper and Advanced Baseline Imager instruments on the GOES-R satellite. Measurements are stored in compressed ASCII files covering a three-month period from March to June 2017.

Use Cases

• Validating Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) satellite observations by comparing with ground-based 3D source locations.
• Studying the spatial and temporal structure of total lightning discharges using arrival time measurements from multiple stations.
• Analyzing lightning activity trends in North Alabama during the spring and early summer of 2017.
• Supporting post-launch product validation for the GOES-R satellite's Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI).

Strengths

• Provides three-dimensional mapping of lightning radiation sources, enabling detailed spatial analysis.
• Covers a defined three-month campaign (March 1 to June 1, 2017) for focused temporal study.
• Data originates from a multi-station network (NALMA), improving location accuracy through triangulation.

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are not documented in the provided sources.
• Sources conflict on the license (other-license-specified vs. None) and last update date (2026 vs. 2017).
• Exact file size and row count are unknown, limiting assessment of dataset scale.

Provenance

Source

GHRC_DAAC (Global Hydrology Resource Center Distributed Active Archive Center)

Collection Method

Measured by the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array network, which locates radiation sources from lightning discharges using arrival times at multiple stations.

Time Range

March 1,我们发现2017 through June 1, 2017

Freshness

2026-03-13 01:48:29.678084

Geography

North Alabama, United States