![]() These variations are influenced by geography, topography, and large-scale weather patterns. In addition, lightning strike characteristics such as polarity, maximum peak current, and number of return strokes vary over time and space. Although lightning strikes are pervasive, their temporal and spatial distributions vary across the state and have differential effects on lightning fire ignitions. Lightning strikes are an important source of ignition for wildland fires in California and throughout the western US. ![]() The role fire plays in an ecosystem is dependent on the simultaneous occurrence of an ignition source, sufficient fuel to carry the fire, and weather conditions conducive for burning. Understanding the variation in lightning strike distributions provides insight into the role of fire in different bioregions of the state and aids in the prediction of wildland fire occurrence. Weather patterns associated with lightning included strengthened high pressure cells stationed over the western United States that deploy moist monsoonlike air masses and promote rising motions, especially over mountain features. Strike polarity varied by month, and mean peak positive current, mean peak negative current, and number of return strokes per strike varied by bioregion. The number of strikes increased with elevation. Although there were significant differences in the number and density of strikes among bioregions, the annual, monthly, and hourly patterns were similar. ![]() We analyzed 16 years of lightning strike data obtained from the National Lightning Detection Network to determine how the distribution of lightning strikes was affected by geography, topography, and large-scale weather patterns. The temporal and spatial distribution of lightning strikes varies across California and has a differential effect on lightning fire ignitions.
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