authority: gcos
slug: lightning
name: Lightning
domain: atmosphere
subdomain: surface
authority_id: gcos:lightning
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: null
  cf_standard_name: null
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: flash-rate
    entity: lightning
canonical_units: flashes km-2 s-1
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Lightning flash density and discharge characteristics from ground-based
  detection networks and space-borne optical sensors. An indicator of deep
  convection and a significant source of NOx and ignition for wildfire.
theme: weather
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/lightning