Articles | Volume 19, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-6681-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-6681-2026
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
22 Oct 2026
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 22 Oct 2026

First year of Meteosat Third Generation Lightning Imager observations

Sven-Erik Enno, Bartolomeo Viticchié, David Navia, and Jochen Grandell

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Meteosat Third Generation Lightning Imager detection performances
Bartolomeo Viticchié, Sven-Erik Enno, David Navia, Janja Avbelj, and Jochen Grandell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 6625–6642, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-6625-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-6625-2026, 2026
Short summary

Cited articles

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Albrecht, R. I., Goodman, S. J., Petersen, W. A., Buechler, D. E., Bruning, E. C., Blakeslee, R. J., and Christian, H. J.: The 13 Years of TRMM Lightning Imaging Sensor: From Individual Flash Characteristics to Decadal Tendencies, in: Proceedings of the XIV International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 8–12 August 2011, International Commission on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE), 2011. a, b
Albrecht, R. I., Goodman, S. J., Buechler, D. E., Blakeslee, R. J., and Christian, H. J.: Where Are the Lightning Hotspots on Earth?, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 97, 2051–2068, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00193.1, 2016. a, b, c, d
Bitzer, P. M., Burchfield, J. C., and Christian, H. J.: A Bayesian approach to assess the performance of lightning detection systems, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 33, 563–578, 2016. a
Blakeslee, R. J., Mach, D. M., Bateman, M. G., and Bailey, J. C.: Seasonal Variations in the Lightning Diurnal Cycle and Implications for the Global Electric Circuit, Atmos. Res., 135–136, 228–243, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.09.023, 2014. a
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Editorial statement
This paper qualifies as a highlight because it presents the first year of observations from the Meteosat Third Generation Lightning Imager, which provides unprecedented, continuous monitoring of lightning across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and adjacent seas. The dataset enables new insight into thunderstorm occurrence and severe-convection monitoring, while supporting research on lightning-related atmospheric composition and possible long-term changes in storm behaviour.
Short summary
The Meteosat Third Generation Lightning Imager (MTG-LI) is the first European space mission for monitoring lightning activity over Europe, Africa, and their surrounding areas. During its first year of observations from July 2024 to June 2025, MTG-LI detected a total of 595 × 106 lightning flashes. The highest lightning frequency was found in central Africa. MTG-LI is an excellent instrument for monitoring total lightning activity on operational and climatological scales.
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