The Potential Impact of Climate Variability on Lightning Frequency in Southeast Pennsylvania

This project focused on determining the potential impacts of climate change on lightning frequency in Lancaster County and surrounding areas. The first part of the project included a data analysis to determine the types of systems contributing to lightning events in the southeast Pennsylvania area. The data generated was then used to develop a lightning climatology which included lightning frequency. Lightning data utilized for this was retrieved from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and the North American Precision Lightning Network (NAPLN). The second part of the project involved atmospheric conditions. Three atmospheric parameters, K-Index, K-Index, and Lifted Index, at two National Weather Service Stations was covered. The results verified that lightning strikes per year and storm reports per year increased over a period of 20 years. As well as all three of the atmospheric parameters became more extreme over a period of 24 years. The results were also compared to the Fourth National Climate Report which proved the research was accurate.