Alaska - Historical Lightning from 1986 to 2017 - Alaska Interagency Coordination Centre

Historical lightning strikes, collected by Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service. These data are from two different types of sensors. Data from 1986-2012 was collected using the Impact lightning system and data from 2012-2016 was collected using the Time Of Arrival (TOA) system. Note that 2012 data was collected by Impact sensors and TOA sensors (two different networks). Impact sensors report flash with multiplicity (strokes per flash) whereas TOA reports strokes. Furthermore, the TOA system records cloud-to-cloud strokes whereas the Impact systems did not. The AFS comparison studies indicate the new TOA ALDN is reporting 2.25 times the lightning displayed by the older sensors. It is estimated that approximately 60% of that increase can be attributed to the difference in reporting strokes verses flashes. The balance of that increase results from detection efficiency, expanded statewide sensor coverage and longer range detection. Users should be aware that in addition to the type of sensor used, the number of lightning sensors and distribution of those sensors has changed over time. Both datasets have been clipped to show only those strikes that fall within 250 km of Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories.

These data are provided by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) “as is” and might contain errors or omissions. The User assumes the entire risk associated with its use of these data and bears all responsibility in determining whether these data are fit for the User’s intended use. The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the sources from which they were derived, and both scale and accuracy may vary across the data set. These data might not have the accuracy, resolution, completeness, timeliness, or other characteristics appropriate for applications that potential users of the data may contemplate. The User is encouraged to carefully consider the content of the metadata file associated with these data.