Temporal and spatial characteristics of the formation of strong noctilucent clouds

► 3D hemispheric modeling of strong noctilucent clouds from nucleation to sublimation. ► Atmospheric waves lead to burst nucleation and highly affect the particle age. ► Particle growth is slow at first and accelerates a few hours before visibility. ► Upwelling keeps the particles in the supersaturated region before peak brightness. ► NLC particles at 69N are 36 h old on average, they are visible for about 5 h.