Seasonal Wind Turbine-Associated Lightning in Central Europe

Martin Kákona, Zbyněk Sokol, Robin Duspara, Jana Popová, Jaroslav Chum, Jakub Šlegl, Marek Sommer, Martina Lužová, Roman Dvořák, Vít Hanousek, Jakub Kákona, Alexander Kostinsky, Iva Ambrožová, Ondřej Ploc

We report systematic evidence that cold-season lightning in Central Eu-
rope frequently occurs in close proximity to wind turbines. Using Blitzor-
tung stroke data (2021–2024), ENTLN data (2023), and electric field mea-
surements, we identify a recurring phenomenon - Seasonal Wind Turbine-
Associated Lightning (SWAL), characterised by strokes clustering within
proximity of wind turbines and exhibiting exclusively negative polarity. Elec-
tric field observations show strong negative near-ground fields, suggesting
that the lower positive charge layer is weak or absent and that the main
negative charge region becomes exposed. These results raise the broader
question of whether SWAL would occur in landscapes without wind tur-
bines, or whether such episodes would otherwise fail to develop into fully
formed winter thunderstorms.