Wallops Flight Facility Lightning Mapping Array (LMA)

The Wallops Flight Facility Lightning Mapping Array (WFFLMA) dataset collection is used to validate lightning detection instruments on satellites, including the ISS Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM). Data files are available from February 1, 2025 through January 10, 2026 and are provided in ASCII format. The dataset is managed by the GHRC_DAAC and is actively being updated to backfill older data.

Use Cases

• Validate satellite lightning detection instruments like the ISS LIS and GLM based on ground-based array data.
• Study convective storm processes using high-resolution lightning mapping data.
• Validate convection-resolving models that predict lightning activity.
• Analyze lightning characteristics and distribution for a specific time period.

Strengths

• Data is actively being worked on to backfill older records and maintain as an ongoing dataset.
• Explicit temporal coverage from February 1, 2025 to January 10, 2026 is provided.
• Designed for validation of major satellite instruments (ISS LIS, GLM).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the single Wallops Island location.

Provenance

Source

GHRC_DAAC via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Likely collected by ground-based Lightning Mapping Array sensors at the Wallops Flight Facility.

Time Range

February 1, 2025 through January -10, 2026 (ongoing).

Freshness

Data collection is described as ongoing, but the last update date is unknown.

Geography

Wallops Island Flight Facility location.