On the lightning hazard warning using electrostatic field: Analysis of summer thunderstorms in Spain

This work presents an analysis of lightning warnings based on atmospheric electrostatic field measurements achieved in the city of Terrassa (northeastern Spain). Seven summer thunderstorms were analyzed. Lightning location data were obtained from two lightning detection networks that provide cloud-to-ground (CG) and intra-cloud (IC) flash information. Warning behaviour was studied on the basis of the “two area method” using both electrostatic field (EF) thresholds and polarity reversal detection. The study of the total lightning locations (CG + IC) with respect to the electric field mill (EFM) site lets investigate the possible EF threshold and EF polarity inversion values useful for warning. The probability of detection (POD) and the false alarm ratio (FAR) were evaluated in both cases obtaining slightly better results by using polarity change criteria. The paper also includes a discussion about the lead times (LTs) obtained between the trigger of a warning and a CG located in the area of concern (AOC).