Daniel Aranguren

Contribution to Lightning Parameters Study Based on Some American Tropical Regions Observations

This paper presents a recent characterization review of three cloud-to-ground lightning parameters [lightning peak current, ground flash density, and keraunic level (KL)] used in engineering applications based on available data from studies conducted in some tropical countries of Central and South America (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Venezuela), considering seasonal and spatial variation aspects. There are some differences between the behaviors of the analyzed parameters in tropical areas in comparison with those published in the literature for temperate ones. The most significant conclusion is that historical data suggest that the highest ground flash density are located between latitude of 8° and 10° north. This value is much higher than the highest values reported for countries located in temperate regions. It is seen from the KL analysis that this parameter varies depending on the latitude with values up to 200 thunderstorm days (TDs).

Thunderstorm warning alarms methodology using electric field mills and lightning location networks in mountainous regions

This paper presents a methodology for thunderstorm warning alarming using electric field measurements and lightning location data under mountainous conditions in Medellín - Colombia. The methodology is used to set warning criteria for preventing human and sensitive systems risks and damages.

Severe thunderstorms in the Colombia and Venezuela high lightning active areas

This paper presents a general description of severe thunderstorm episodes detected during the last two years (2015–2016) in the most active lightning regions in Colombia and Venezuela. Hourly and seasonal occurrence characteristics, strokes rates, duration and orographic patterns are described.

First data of the Colombia lightning mapping array — COLMA

The first data set of VHF lightning mapping using a Lightning Mapping Array system - LMA in a tropical region is presented in this paper. Six sensors were installed at the north of Colombia near Santa Marta city. Since the installation of the LMA network in 2015, up to 7000 intra-cloud (IC) discharges from September to November 2015 have been analyzed. The data suggests that, the electrical charge distribution in tropical thunderstorms shows higher vertical development reaching higher altitudes compared to thunderstorms in temperate latitudes.