Global lightning at high latitudes

Abstract:

We examine the increase of global lightning occurrence at high latitudes using the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) data over the last 16 years. While the fractional occurrence of lightning above 65 degrees latitude is on the order of just 0.1% of total lightning strokes (for instance, just 2.9x10⁵ strokes out of 2.2x10⁸ globally located strokes in 2019 by WWLLN) this leaves a statistically significant high latitude data set in every year with which to examine the trends compared to time, longitude and global temperature. We find consistent fractional increases in annual lightning occurrence rate in every 5 degree latitudinal ring from 55 degrees North to 85 North. Indeed, anecdotal reports of high latitude and even near polar lightning, as well as the rapid temperature rise at high latitudes are all consistent with the fractional relative stroke rate increase found in this study.