Study of the winter lightning ground flash density investigated by the lightning location systems

A network of lightning location systems covering the entire Japanese Archipelago has been operational since the late 1980s. However, the operational records appear to be distorted relative to winter lightning flash densities. The maximum flash density registered was 0.3 flashes/km² per one winter season, a mere one-tenth of the corresponding figure for severe summer lightning anywhere along the archipelago. On the other hand, the fault frequencies of overhead transmission lines constructed in the severe winter lightning districts are comparable with those of severe summer lightning districts. The author submits to resolve the apparent disparity by introducing two analytical parameters, namely 1) the propagation velocity of the return strokes of the winter lightning, and 2) the seasonal difference in the altitude of the lightning charge in the cloud. Consequently, the author proposes a certain seasonal modification of the threshold level applicable to the operation of lightning location systems.