Ka-chow! A simple irregular 2D lattice model of lightning

Abstract

A model of lightning that captures the propagation of lightning channels on an irregular lattice is developed. The irregular lattice allows us to capture large two-dimensional systems (2 km x 2 km), while allowing grid refinement (on the order of cm) near areas of interest. Furthermore, the direction of lightning propagation is not biased in the orthogonal or diagonal directions of regular lattices. The probability of lightning strikes on people in standing positions, people in crouched positions, people near a tree and cattle are estimated.