Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

We have developed a parameterization of the nighttime sprite initiation, which allowed us to estimate the global sprite distribution based on the WWLLN (World Wide Lightning Location Network) data for the years 2015-2021. The proposed parameterization of the initiation of sprites takes into account the probabilistic nature of the sprite initiation depending on the impulse charge moment change. We analyze the global distribution, as well as a distribution over land/ocean for sprites initiated by negative and positive lightning. Our analysis shows that the areas with high sprite activity predicted by the proposed parameterizations coincide with those according to the results of observation campaigns. The average number of sprites per day is 575 and significantly varies: from 1150 in 2015 to 300 in 2019 and 2020. The highest rate of sprite initiation usually occurs in March, and the lowest is in September-October. The period from May to December characterizes by a steady excess of the number of sprites over the ocean, and from January to April the number of sprites over land and ocean is approximately the same. A preliminary analysis shows that the intensity of sprite activity in the world correlates, in addition to lightning activity, with global climate modes, which we aim to investigate further.