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Abstract The atmospheric electricity discipline is overflowing with lightning observations across the electromagnetic spectrum—representing physical and chemical processes that span many orders of magnitude in spatial and temporal scales—but is lacking in integrated modeling capabilities to interpret these measurements. This gap limits our ability to synthesize knowledge from different types of lightning measurements and hinders our understanding of lightning in the broader context of thunderstorms, weather, and climate. To overcome this challenge, a framework for a holistic physical model of lightning has been developed to outline the current strengths and weaknesses in modeling capabilities and to envision how a modular end-to-end lightning model could be realized. The name of this proposed model is the End-to-End Lightning (E2EL) model. Application of E2EL to test theoretical predictions about lightning against observations will improve lightning forecasting, climate modeling, and our understanding of lightning-ignited wildfires, among other benefits for national security and the private sector. Achieving the first iteration of an integrated model requires significant investment from community stakeholders alongside careful coordination and copious effort among the lightning community, which we propose can be accomplished in a 5-yr plan. This newly developed framework illuminates what was once unclear: that the task at the hand is indeed within our scientific reach. 

Abstract During November 2018–April 2019, an 11-station very high frequency (VHF) Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) was deployed to Córdoba Province, Argentina. The purpose of the LMA was validation of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), but the deployment was coordinated with two field campaigns. The LMA observed 2.9 million flashes (≥ five sources) during 163 days, and level-1 (VHF locations), level-2 (flashes classified), and level-3 (gridded products) datasets have been made public. The network’s performance allows scientifically useful analysis within 100 km when at least seven stations were active. Careful analysis beyond 100 km is also possible. The LMA dataset includes many examples of intense storms with extremely high flash rates (>1 s−1), electrical discharges in overshooting tops (OTs), as well as anomalously charged thunderstorms with low-altitude lightning. The modal flash altitude was 10 km, but many flashes occurred at very high altitude (15–20 km). There were also anomalous and stratiform flashes near 5–7 km in altitude. Most flashes were small (<50 km2 area). Comparisons with GLM on 14 and 20 December 2018 indicated that GLM most successfully detected larger flashes (i.e., more than 100 VHF sources), with detection efficiency (DE) up to 90%. However, GLM DE was reduced for flashes that were smaller or that occurred lower in the cloud (e.g., near 6-km altitude). GLM DE also was reduced during a period of OT electrical discharges. Overall, GLM DE was a strong function of thunderstorm evolution and the dominant characteristics of the lightning it produced.