Analysis of Earth Networks Total Lightning Detection Efficiency versus LIS for 2011 through 2013 in North America

Earth Networks Total Lightning Network™ (ENTLN) provides the capability of detecting total lightning (in-cloud and cloud-to-ground) data on a continental scale. An understanding of the detection efficiency of the ENTLN is necessary for use of total lightning data in applications such as severe weather detection and derivation of rainfall rates. ENTLN detection efficiency is studied by comparing lightning flashes seen by the low earth orbit Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) satellite and ENTLN. This study will present the relative detection efficiency of ENTLN compared to LIS, and an estimate for LIS detection efficiency versus ENTLN. The impact of varying detection efficiency on derived products such as severe storm prediction and proxy radar will also be analyzed.