Experimental Evaluation of an Arrival Time Difference Lightning PositioningSystem

摘要

Results from a five-station LPATS lightning positioning system covering theNetherlands are analyzed and compared with observer reports and with registrations from lightning counters. It is demonstrated that the median location accuracy of individual flashes is about 2 km. The reliability of detection is diminished by the occurrence of false alarms and the possibility of system saturation during widespread thunderstorms. Contrary to expectations, the system may respond to intracloud discharges. Despite these difficulties, the system seems quite acceptable to replace the even more imperfect human observations for warning purposes and for thunderstorm statistics. In addition, the system offers possibilities to collect statistics on lightning parameters like peak currents and lightning discharge density.