Number of lightning flashes

Background information

Thunderstorms are usually associated with strong winds and heavy rain, sometimes hail, and can cause flooding and extensive damage to forests, agriculture, buildings and infrastructure. They are a frequent cause of civil protection (fire brigade) response and can endanger human life. Climate research suggests that the frequency and intensity of thunderstorms will increase as temperatures rise.

Description of the graph and the results

No reliable conclusions can yet be drawn from the available data, as new and more accurate sensors have been installed in recent years to improve the quality of the measurements, and the measurement series are too short. The year 2015 stands out, with 54,153 ground and cloud flashes, making it the year with the most lightning since records began. This year was particularly hot, with a record number of tropical nights. In 2024, 17.034 flashes were recorded in South Tyrol.

Method

Lightning is located using a network of sensors covering the whole of Italy and Europe. These sensors detect the electromagnetic field emitted by each lightning and allow precise localization using GPS synchronization, which requires a lightning to be detected simultaneously by at least two sensors. Its exact position can be calculated from the time of flight and the direction of the electromagnetic wave. The lightning detection system is part of the European network EUCLID, which provides optimal coverage of all European countries. In recent years, South Tyrol has recorded between 20,000 and 30,000 lightning strikes per year.

Sectors affected

• Water

• Natural hazard

• Wasser management

• Forestry

• Settlement and traffic infrastructure

• Agriculture

Related indicators

Contact

Eurac Research: Marc Zebisch, Center for Climate Change and Transformation

Data provided by the Weather and avalanche service of the Autonomous Province of Bolzaneo, Dieter Peterlin