Simulated High Resolution (8km) Global Lightning Climatology

High resolution (grid spacing ~8km in midlatitudes) model simulations using explicitly resolved convection in the Met Office Unified Model, as part of the EU Horizon 2020 PRIMAVERA project, are used to provide a global lightning climatology. The lightning parametrization uses information about the graupel and ice water path to estimate lightning flash rate. Comparisons are made with the World Lightning Location Network dataset. The model results generally capture the diurnal and seasonal behavior and spatial distribution of the lightning over land. Over the ocean the lightning in the ITCZ appears excessive.