On the relationship between lightning superbolts and TLEs in Northern Europe

Lightning occurrence at higher latitudes in northwestern Europe is by far less frequent than mainland continental and the Mediterranean during most of year. Yet, as recent studies suggest, this region harbors a large fraction energetic lightning flashes on Earth, commonly referred to superbolts. In study, we examine time/locations intense cloud-to-ground (CG) strokes (>200 kA absolute value), provided Météorage for 10.5-year period (from Jan 2010 Jul 2020), present high-resolution map their distribution, pointing out relevant discrepancies observed between -CG + CG, respectively. We additionally investigate potential superbolts result short-lived optical phenomena above thunderstorms, collectively known transient luminous events (TLEs). Observations indicate that isolated with substantial charge moment change can produce sprites low active marginal winter absence concurrent IC/CG activity several minutes before after event. An example described when 3 were captured similar context night 7th/8th February 2016. suggest that: i) convergence aerosols advection from sea surface busy shipping lanes may favour deep convection cloud electrification English Channel respect surrounding areas. Inherent differences structure based storms could lead faster negative leader vertical velocity those over land, average, hence larger peak currents, determining area; ii) areas occupied populated superbolt clusters be used conduct future research region, aimed better characterising microphysical properties generating TLEs.