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Introducing a Grand Challenge for Lightning Modeling

delete2026-04-01
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PRE
AI
S
Sonja A. Behnke *
B
Bruning, Eric
B
Back, Amanda
G
Goodman, Steven J.
C
Christopher Hogg
L
Lang, Timothy
T
Tilles, Julia
DOI:10.1175/BAMS-D-25-0021.1delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The atmospheric electricity discipline is overflowing with lightning observations across the electromagnetic spectrum-representing physical and chemical processes that span many orders of magnitude in spatial and temporal scales-but is lacking in integrated modeling capabilities to interpret these measurements. This gap limits our ability to synthesize knowledge from different types of lightning measurements and hinders our understanding of lightning in the broader context of thunderstorms, weather, and climate. To overcome this challenge, a framework for a holistic physical model of lightning has been developed to outline the current strengths and weaknesses in modeling capabilities and to envision how a modular end-to-end lightning model could be realized. The name of this proposed model is the End-to-End Lightning (E2EL) model. Application of E2EL to test theoretical predictions about lightning against observations will improve lightning forecasting, climate modeling, and our understanding of lightning-ignited wildfires, among other benefits for national security and the private sector. Achieving the first iteration of an integrated model requires significant investment from community stakeholders alongside careful coordination and copious effort among the lightning community, which we propose can be accomplished in a 5-yr plan. This newly developed framework illuminates what was once unclear: that the task at the hand is indeed within our scientific reach.
Keywords:
Lightning
Thunderstorms
Laboratory/physical models
Numerical analysis/ modeling

Journal

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society cover
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
IF:
5.9
Papers:
3.7K
Citations:
2.7W

Organization

N
national oceanic atmospheric admin (noaa) - usa
Scholars:
1.4W
Papers: 1.1W
Citations: 10
Texas Tech University System cover
Texas Tech University System
Scholars:
1.4W
Papers: 1.2W
Citations: 15
L
los alamos national laboratory
Scholars:
641
Papers: 238
Citations: 0
U
united states department of energy (doe)
Scholars:
11.2W
Papers: 9.6W
Citations: 246
T
texas tech university
Scholars:
1.0K
Papers: 543
Citations: 0
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