Portugal Lightning Detection Network (LDN) Data

Data Set Contact

Scot Loehrer
NCAR/EOL
loehrer@ucar.edu


1.0 Data Set Overview

This data set contains lightning strike location and amplitude data from the Protuguese Lightning Detection Network (LDN).
The network is composed of four sensors in Portugal and five sensors located in Spain near the border. The data are in
JSON format.

2.0 Instrument Description

The Portuguese LDN is composed of Vaisala LS7002 Advanced Total Lightning sensors.  For further information on these sensors
see the Vaisala Datasheet (WEA-LS7002-Datasheet-B211284EN-A-LOW.pdf) included with this data set. The data were processed using
the Vaisala TLP100 Total Lightning Processor, for further information see the Vaisala Datasheet 
(WEA-MET-G-TLP100-200-Lightning-Processor-Brochure-B210774EN-F-HiRes.pdf) included with this data set.

In Portugal the sensors were located in Braga, Castelo Branco, Alverca and Olhão (see Rodrigues et al 2008 figure 4 for 
locations) and the sensors in Spain were located in Jerez de la Frontera, Armilla, Getafe, Matacán and Santiago (see Ramos
et al 2011 figure 1 for locations).  During Perdigao the Alverca sensor was not operational.

3.0 Data Collection and Processing

These data were retrieved from the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) in real time during the project.

NCAR/EOL has not conducted any processing or quality control on these data.

4.0 Data Format

These data are in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format

The data are in files by day and follow the naming convention:
YYYY-MM-DD-dea.json

A sample strike is formatted as follows:
{"latitude": "34.1865", "timestamp": "2017-04-10 05:53:38", "amplitude": "110.10", "longitude": "-10.2791"}

Where the latitude and longitude are in degrees, the timestamp in UTC, and the amplitude is in kA.

5.0 Data Remarks

None

6.0 References

A.M. Ramos, R. Ramos, P. Sousa, R.M. Trigo, M. Janeira, V. Prior Cloud to ground lightning activity over Portugal and its association with circulation weather types
Atmos. Res., 101 (1–2) (2011), pp. 84-101 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2011.01.014

R. B. Rodrigues ; V. M. F. Mendes ; J. P. S. Catalao ; S. Correia ; V. Prior ; M. Aguado 
2008 IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting - Conversion and Delivery of Electrical Energy in the 21st Century https://doi.org/10.1109/PES.2008.4596513