Thunderstorm day and ground flash density in Malaysia

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of lightning related accidents in Malaysia is a major concern to the public and the utility companies. The rate of lightning deaths is believed to be about ten times greater than that of the USA. A general knowledge of the lightning flash distribution will assist the intelligent public to make informed decisions regarding personal safety and protection of their assets. The Malaysian Meteorological Service (MMS) has been collecting data on thunderstorm day level for more than three decades. A private utility company has also been collecting data on the lightning flash density for nearly a decade using a lightning detection network. This paper takes a look at the available data and develops two maps on the thunderstorm day and lightning flash density levels for several key locations in the country. These maps will give the readers an insight into the risks associated with the thunderstorm in relation to their location.