Global Lightning Flash Rate Climatology from Satellite Sensors

Global annual lightning flash rate climatology data derived from two satellite sensors, the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and the Optical Transient Detector (OTD). The dataset merges long-term records from the tropics and subtropics with high-latitude observations, gridded at a 2.5-degree resolution. It is provided by the GHRC DAAC and is available in HDF and netCDF-4 formats.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the spatial distribution of annual lightning flash rates across global 2.5-degree grid cells.
• Comparing lightning activity in tropical/subtropical regions (from LIS) with high-latitude regions (from OTD).
• Investigating long-term climatological patterns of atmospheric electricity using merged sensor data.
• Using raw and scaled flash rate values for climate model validation or input.

Strengths

• Merges data from two dedicated satellite sensors (LIS and OTD) for broader spatial coverage.
• Provides a long observational record, with the LIS data offering robust coverage equatorward of about 38 degrees.
• Data is gridded at a consistent 2.5-degree resolution for global analysis.

Limitations

• Specific row/column counts, dataset size, and detailed license terms are not provided across sources.
• Sources conflict on the last updated date, listing both 2014-12-31 and 2026-03 13.
• High-latitude data relies solely on the OTD sensor record.

Provenance

Source

GHRC DAAC, using data from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on TRMM and the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) on Orbview-1.

Collection Method

Gridded climatologies created from spaceborne optical lightning detection sensor observations.

Time Range

The merged long-term record from the LIS and OTD satellite missions.

Freshness

2026.03.13

Geography

Global, with specific sensor coverage: LIS (equatorward of ~38°), OTD (including high latitudes).