1

IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTNING THUNDERSTORMS MAPPING FOR THE

GULF AREA CASE STUDY; SAUDI ARABIA

M. H. Shwehdi and Jamil M. Bakhashwain

Electrical Engineering Department

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
mshwehdi@kfupm.edu.sa
ABSTRACT
The objective of the paper is highlight the
importance of establishing Gulf region data base and
developing the actual Iskruanic level (IKL) maps,
which is the number of annual thunderstorm days
(Thunders days (TD)); both annual and seasonal
maps will be developed for the Gulf. This
importance of TD maps and database development
for the region stems from the fact of the global
climatology changes, and the rapid industrial
development in the region. This paper also is to
stimulate concern amongst the GCC countries to
begin collecting of all available data from all sources
in the region, to record all lightning incidence and
help in assuring safe lightning protection devices.
On the basis of these maps, the distribution of
thunderstorms over the region can be analyzed in
terms of its development factors required for
determining lightning performances of transmission
lines and power systems, safety measures of
industrial plants. A full case study of the
thunderstorm days (TD) in different areas of Saudi
Arabia specifically those where lightning strikes are
more likely to occur can then be easily found is
presented. Results of what has been established in
this paper are based on database and records
available on lightning incidence in Saudi Arabia at
Presidency of Metreology and Environment (PME).
consistent way with rainfall. There appears to be no
evidence of any widespread temporal trend in
thunderstorm frequency [1]. Lightning phenomena has
drawn interest by PME of Saudi Arabia and also to
SEC, PME has been gathering lightning data at 28
locations around the country for about 30 years, while
SEC has recently initiated outages recording of its
power system.
In Saudi Arabia, no data, records, and information
concerning TD lightning maps has been developed or
archived, this leaves utilities with no actual figure for
Iskruanic level (TD) for transmission and distribution
lines shield wires, and protection design In the South
which is apparently has the highest lightning frequency
there seems to be very little information on lightning
activity. The world Iskruanic map established in 1964
indicates that the Iskruanic level in the southern Saudi
Arabia is between 5 and 10 thunderstorms days per
year.
One of the major incidences of lightning effects was
reported in the Southern area city of Abha where a
tremendous amount of distribution transformers were
burned. Based on the reported transformer failure rate
in the Southern electric company (SCECO) [1], the
Iskruanic level data used for lightning protection design
for this region seems to be low and obtained from old
map of figure 1.

This new Saudi Arabian maps will be a great tool in

assisting electrical engineers in general, also, such
information is very valuable for designing an
optimum quality lightning protection systems for the
entire transmission and distribution , and industrial
systems in the country.

1. Introduction
Thunderstorms are spectacular but hazardous weather
phenomena which, together with high temperature,
winds and safety; top the list of concerns in the
Presidency of Meteorology and Environment of Saudi
Arabia (PME) as well as Saudi Electric Company
(SEC). Thunderstorms are most frequent over the Figure 1 World Isokeraunic Map
southwest of the country, and generally decrease as A report recommended that SCECO-South should track
going to west direction. North and central also have keep data records on lightning, and consider installing
recently more frequent thunderstorms. Thunderstorm lightning detection network. Many utilities in world
frequency does not, in general, appear to vary in any have justified the cost of lightning detection network

system based on operation & maintenance crew
scheduling costs. Such acquisition of detection
networks are valuable for correlating with transmission
and distribution equipment failures and outages [2, 8].
PME do not use any detection and monitoring networks
it still uses human observation on its twenty nine sites
location scattered all over the country. This has been
started since 1951 and data are accumulated until
present time. This method of observation may have
some unrealistic records. PME does not archive
lightning caused losses. Some reports from some
farmers and public individual who reported the loss of
human lives as well as camels, and palm trees burning
in different areas of Western Province (TAIF).
In the Central Province (Al-Qaseem) lightning struck
some livestock and were dead, and valuable distribution
equipments has been damaged in different industrial
location due to lightning, this large amounts of surfaced
losses, and reported, has initiated the idea of this
lightning research project, and lightning mapping.
Old Iskruanic (Thunders day) maps, although able to
provide an overall idea of lightning incidence at some
locations, yet are not reliable enough for modern
lightning protection design needs. Damages inflicted by
lightning to power lines, structures, buildings, sensitive
installations, dwellings, livestock, etc. can be
considerable reduced if Ground Flash Density (GFD)
data based on the newly developed thunderstorm days
maps obtained from the reliable PME observations are
used instead [2-7].
On-line monitoring of lightning can facilitate improved
weather forecasts that can, for instance, assist operators
of airport control towers for reducing risk of accidents
during landing and take off operations. Reduction of
risk of lightning-caused incidents at sensitive
installations like those existing in the oil and
petrochemical industry can also be achieved [8].
Data has become available from PME sources; where
the author feels there is sufficiently long period
of data on which to base reliable averages.
Thunderstorm occurrence at a particular location
is usually expressed as the number of days in a
calendar year when thunder was heard, averaged
over several years.
2. METREOLOGY OF SAUDI ARABIA
2.1 Introduction
Many weather and atmospheric centers as well as
astronomy scientists’ recent publications and prediction
indicate the fact that there are global climate changes in
the amount of solar, rain, temperature, moist and
dryness amounts of many geographical regions. It is a
fact that many cold regions had become less in
temporal, rain, and length of such cold period, while
those of deserts climate is experiencing more rain, and
cool periods. This increase in rain amounts and cool
2
moist weather time are in general accompanied by
thunderstorms and lightning.
Worldwide, lightning accounts for most of the power
supply interruptions in power lines and are one of the
leading causes of disturbances in transmission and
distribution systems. In the U.S.A. alone, an estimated
30% of all electric power outages are related to
lightning every year, with total costs approaching one
billion dollars. This includes equipment damaged, loss
of lives etc. during thunderstorms. In most area of the
world, an indication of lightning activity may be
obtained from Iskruanic data (thunderstorm days per
year) [9, 11-13]
.
The Iskruanic level (IKL) is an indication of regional
lightning activity based on average quantities derived
from historically available ground-level observation.
More detailed depiction of lightning activity may be
obtained from lightning ground flash density (GFD)
maps, which are created from information obtained via
lightning detection networks, or by historical lightning
incidence records that include, current, time, frequency,
date, intensity, etc, from online lightning detection
stations [12].
2.2 Saudi Arabia Geographical facts and
thunderstorms
Saudi Arabia is located in Middle East, bordering the
Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen. Its
geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E, with a total
land area of 1,960,582 sq km, with a coastline: 2,640
km, and it is slightly more than one-fifth the size of the
US.
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of
temperature, Extreme heat and aridity are characteristic
of most of Saudi Arabia. The Arabian Peninsula is one
of the few places in the world where summer
temperatures above 48° C (120° F) are common, while
in winter frost or snow can occur in the interior and the
higher mountains.
Precipitation is sparse throughout the country. Annual
rainfall in Riyadh averages 100 mm (4 in) and falls
almost exclusively between January and May; the
average in Jeddah is 61 mm (2.4 in) and occurs between
November and January. Because of the general aridity,
Saudi Arabia has no permanent rivers or lakes. Terrain:
mostly uninhabited, sandy desert, elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m, highest point: Jabal
Sawda' (south) 3,133 m [1].
3. LIGHTNING FREQUENCY IN SAUDI ARABIA
3.1 Weather & Thunderstorms of Saudi Arabia
The location of the Saudi Arabia is in the orbital
overheated region that has low clouds which cause

thunderstorm. The clouds accumulate on the land of the
Kingdom usually in the winter and spring seasons, and
rarely in the summer season except in the southern
region because of the southern west winds carrying the
clouds.
The average of the annual thunderstorms doesn’t exceed
thirty (30) thunderstorm on the majority land of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except in the Southern West
region that reach on some mountain to about ninety
seven (97) thunderstorm in a year while about nine (9)
thunderstorms on the beach of the Red Sea. In the
winter, the average of the thunderstorm on the beach of
the Arabian Gulf is five (5) thunderstorms while twice
(2) on the shore of the Red Sea.
The weather of Saudi Arabia characterizes in summer
season by a clear vision and no thunderstorm except the
Southern West region. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
the seasons are defined as follows:
1. Winter Season months are (December, January,
February).
2. Spring Season months are (March, April,
May).
3. Summer Season months are (June, July,
August).
4. Autumn Season months are (September,
October, November).
3.2 Lightning/Thunderstorm days Data Sources in
Saudi Arabia
3.2.1 PME
The PME has no On-line lightning detection records on
the number of thunderstorms (or more precisely thunder
days), it has kept weather stations around Saudi Arabia
that cover the period from 1951 year of its
establishment up to present time. The way of PME
detecting the lightning data depends on a human
observation and hearing a thunder and lightning as
observed by the man on charge. Such way may loose
some of its accuracy due to many human factors error.
At every station in the country and twenty four hours a
day there is a human, who records what he heard and
what he sights as an occurrence of the lightning. Then,
all data are added and considered as a summation of the
lightning during that period (monthly) and accumulate
all the records throughout the year. Each station then
sends this data to PME in JEDDAH which is the center
in the country where it is gathered and stored in
.computer database
The need for some validation is quite clear for more
accurate mapping. Thunder and lightning observations
are more during winter season on many PME locations
in Riyadh & vicinities AL-Qaseem, Dhahran &
vicinities, and cities of Abha, Taif, and Al-Baha. The
PME records of the observations show, that
thunderstorms are most frequent over southern, Eastern,
and central and especially during the winter months
(December-February), also, in the northern region, and
northwestern parts. The inland central and eastern
thunderstorms occur also during the summer months
3
(June - August). The number of thunderstorms in
different areas are about 3-8 day in the West and the
north part 3-10, in the East 5-10 day in the north-east 1-
5 day and north-west part about 2-6 days in the South-
west about 3-10 day, and in the South 5-15 day and
South-east part about 8-15. It is interesting to note that
thunderstorms seem to concentrate around the southern
mountain areas more than other places.
Winter thunderstorms in Saudi Arabia are mainly
associated with cold and very unstable air that has been
flowing over relatively warm sea, high CB-clouds
develop and occasionally thunderstorms follow.
Thunderstorms during the summertime are on the other
hand mainly formed inland. As the sun warms the land
the air above it also becomes warmer, thus the air may
become so unstable that thunderstorm may develop.
The frequency of thunderstorms in Saudi Arabia is
lower during spring (April-May) and fall (September -
.November), May being the quietest month [1]
The data collected from PME locations twenty eight
(28) stations during the past (19) years in some stations,
twenty four (24) years for other stations and many years
for the rest, the average complete data for all is ten (10)
years.
3.2.2 SEC
The need to collect as many records of outages of the
SEC transmission lines systems, and their
classifications may assist in the validation of PME
lightning records. Utility outages records are usually
detected on a real time and direct protection devices,
which give such data more reliable automatic detection
over that of human observation. This is an alternative
validation of the human observed records of PME data
obtained. The target is to collect from different SEC
regions all available records as follows:
1. Center region from SEC which includes
Riyadh, AL-Qassim, Hail, Dawadmi, Around
Riyadh, and AL-Kharj.
2. West and South region from SEC.
3. East and North region from SEC outages for
the eastern area which includes Al-Hasa,
Dammam, and north area.
The requested outages data are usually classified in a
table which contains information such that; the type of
fault, equipment type, date of fault and restart line, fault
area, number of circuit in which fault occurs, cause of
fault and category, duration of fault and finally the
description of cause. In the causes category faults are
classified as the following:
a) Equip.’s Problem, b) Relay Problem, c) Human
Error, Known, d) Unknown, contact and e) Weather.
The criterion which will be used in this research project
for sorting and collecting lightning caused outages from
the utilities outages records would be using each utility
classification as follows:

i. if the fault is clearly listed fault due to lightning this
will be taken as a solid first lightning incidence.
ii. if it is classified as transient cause, this will be also
taken as lightning caused fault.
iii. the third categorization of lightning caused outages
are those of the weather related faults which are rarely
added to lightning.
Any weather related fault is not primarily caused by
lightning and higher evaluation and consideration of all
the atmospheric condition, when it occurred etc…is
implemented. It is clear from the outages classification
that the weather includes many types of forms like
foggy, rain, winds and lightning, but the lightning is the
clear direct detection. Yes, the lightning possesses
special characteristics of the weather, and by default the
number of lightning may be increased due to
considering its accompanying storm conditions.
Once those lightning caused faults are collected per
year discussions with utility engineers and PME
mythologist to check all faults considered as a lightning
will take place.
From SEC records only the faults occurring due to the
lightning will be recorded in this project and the rest
outages are not of interest to this research and are
neglected.
4. RECORDS AND OUTCOME
4.1 Mapping of the thunderstorm days:
PME data was collected personally from the central
office in Jeddah. Data was received from PME for
twenty eight (28) locations all over the Kingdom and
during different periods range between twenty four (24)
years and nineteen (19) years. All data was received less
than one month ago. A Microsoft Office Excel,
Microsoft Office Access and statistical methods were
used to massage and evaluate how such huge data
would be analyzed. Tabularization and plotting using
the Microsoft Office Excel program was useful to
determine the approach of analysis. Moreover, previous
research that made possible for establishing USA IKL
level map was also helpful to look into the seasonal
categorization as one method for analysis and observing
the highest lightning density [9-14].
Then the annual lightning flashover per year (Td/yr)
was statistically calculated. This will determine the
density for one year and at certain PME location. The
total annual average lightning flashover along with the
total seasonal average lightning flashover was
determined in tables and plots forms for further use by
the Simulation GIS software.
Table 1 illustrates the seasonal and the annual average
data obtained from PME all locations as classified.
For a long time now, PME has collected data for the
number of days that observers (located throughout
4
sighting locations in Saudi Arabia) heard thunder or
seen lightning.
This information is published in formal map using
Arcview GIS, Figure 2 illustrates the new map of the
total number of thunderstorms days expected annually,
averaged over a number of years. Other seasonal maps
were produced in both color and lines/number contours.
Such maps indicates which of the seasons have more
lightning and at what region of the country.
It is obvious that, the highest concentration of Iskruanic
level (IKL) during the whole year located in the
southern and mountain regions such as in the city of
Taif, and Abha, while it is very low on the shore sides
of the Red Sea such as Jeddah. Moreover, the seasonal
average within the same period was published in map
form using GIS as shown in. Such a map is called an
Iskruanic level (IKL) chart. The chart does not give
information on the severity of lightning, but it supplies
valuable data on the relative probability of lightning in
different regions of Saudi Arabia. Table 1 illustrates that
the highest average of IKL happened in spring season.
While, the lowest average happened in summer season.
5. Conclusion and Recommendations
 Developed maps of the IKL (TD) are the first to be
established in the history of Saudi Arabia. These
maps are essential for PME, SEC and transmission
and distribution lines designer.
 Need to make validation of the PME data of the
average lightning for nineteen years (19) years with
some other Saudi Arabian lightning data records.
 It is obvious that, the highest concentration of
Iskruanic level (IKL) during the whole years
located in the southern and mountain regions such
as Taif, Abha, and Al Baha while it is very low on
the beach of the Red Sea such as Jeddah.
 The average of the annual thunderstorms doesn’t
exceed thirty (30) thunderstorms on the majority
land of Saudi Arabia except in the Southern and
West regions. However, it reaches in some
mountain to about ninety seven (97) thunderstorms
days per year, while it is very low, around nine (9)
thunderstorms, on the shores of the Red Sea.
 Table 4.1 illustrates that the highest average of
Iskruanic level (IKL) happened in spring season.
While, the lowest average happened in summer
season.
 As a future recommendations, and based on the
refined Saudi Arabia IKL maps one can do the
following:
1. Collection through Lightning detector network all
lightning incidence for more characteristics of
lightning types as well as establishment of a
national Ground Flash Density Ng equation for
Saudi Arabia, this necessitate to acquire on-line
detection network to collect data for a sufficient
time period to obtain more accurate estimation for
lightning, prediction, and parameters beside more
metrological and geographical data.

2. Coordination and correlation of outage records if
obtained from SEC with lightning location network
data if acquired to be established, which identifies
lightning events that cause flashovers, from other
causes of outages for the transmission lines.
5
[10] Lightning Ground Flash Density Measurements in
Canada: 1990-1996’, W. Janischewskyj, J. Beattie
and W.A. Chisholm, Final Report for Canadian
Electrical Association Contract 179T382A, Sept.
1998.

Acknowledgements [11] D.J. Boccippio, K.L. Cummins, H.J. Christian

The author appreciates the full financial support by the
City of King Abdul Aziz of Science and Technology
(KACST), also continued support of KFUPM. My
Sincere Appreciation to my EE students of the Capstone
Project Group A of 2004 for excellent participation.
6. REFERENCES
[1] http://www.pme.gov.sa/,Presidencyof Metrological
& Environment (PME).
[2] The IEEE Working Group," Guide for Improving
Lightning Performance of Electric Power Overhead
Distribution Lines," Approved as IEEE Standard
P1410, 2001.
and S.J. Goodman, “Combined Satellite- and
Surface-Based Estimation of the Intra-cloud-
Cloud to Ground Lightning Ratio over the
Continental United States”, Monthly Weather
Review Vol.129, pp 108-122
[12] De la Rosa et al, “Lightning Characteristics
Relevant for Electrical Engineering: Assessment
of Sensing, Recording and Mapping Requirements
in the Light of Present Technological
Advancements”, CIGRE TF·33.01.02, Report No.
94, July 1995.
[13] De la Rosa, F, Nucci, C.A., Rakov, V., “Lightning
and its Impact on Power Systems”, CIGRE SC33
International Conference, Zagreb, Croatia, 1998.

[3] Atlas of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Higher [14] H. Torres, et al “Experiences and first results of
education, 1989 Saudi Arabia Colombian lightning location network”
Proceedings 23rd International Conference on
Lightning Protection, pp. 186-190, Firenze, 1996.
[4] Anderson, R.B., Eriksson, A.J., Kroninger, H.,
Meal, D.V. and Smith, M.A. 1984. Lightning and
thunderstorm parameters, IEEE Int Conf
Lightning and Power Systems, London, UK.

[5] IEEE STD. 1243-1997, IEEE Design Guide for

Improving the Lightning Performance of
Transmission Lines.

[6] De la Rosa et al, “Characterization of lightning for

application to electric power systems”, CIGRE TF
Report, Electra, December 2000.

[7] CIGRE Lightning flash counter. Part 1

Specification. Part 2 Guide for estimating ground
flash density CIGRE lightning flash counter.
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[8] W.R. Burrows, P. King, P.J. Lewis, B.

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[9] F. De La Rosa, W. Chisholm, A. Galván, F.

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Brochure 94, 1994
 Table 1 the total annual and seasonal average TD for the 19 years

TOTAL AVERAGE
CITY
SUMMER AUTUMN WINTER SPRING ANNUAL
ABHA 42.54 10.25 3.541 41 97.33
ALBAHA 21.05 11.16 2.63 32.58 67.42
ALAHSA 0.26 0.79 6.26 9.74 17.1
AL JOUF 0.16 4.25 2.04 5.54 11.96
ARAR 0.29 5.54 3.13 6.17 15.13
BISHA 3.89 4.05 2.11 25.16 35.21
DHAHRAN 0.04 1.67 5.88 8.58 16.17
QASSIEM 0.21 5.53 5.47 12.63 23.84
GURAYAT 0.05 5.58 2 3.89 11.53
HAFR 0.23 3.31 5.92 10.54 20
HAIL 0.58 8.92 4.25 15.46 29.21
JIZAN 17.14 16.38 1.1 4.14 38.76
JEDDAH 1.17 4.08 1.92 1.83 9
KFIA 0 2 7.75 5 14.75
KHAMIS 29.83 7.33 3.42 35.52 76.13
KKIA 0.13 0.83 2.67 8.33 11.96
MADINAH 2.83 7 2.67 7.71 20.21
MAKKAH 2.89 9.95 2.95 3.68 19.47
NAJRAN 3.74 0.47 0.79 11.11 12.75
QAISUMA 0.37 5.4 8.12 11.58 25.5
RAFHA 0.13 4.54 2.67 5.96 13.29
RIYADH Old 0.25 1 4.46 10.04 15.75
SHARORAH 3.37 0.89 0.74 5.05 10.1
TABUK 0.79 6.54 2.63 4.54 14.5
TAIF 16.86 29.59 6.55 43 96
TURIEF 0.32 6.95 1.68 6.95 15.89
Wadi Dwaser 0.78 0.5 0.89 5 7.17
WAJH 0.04 1.38 2.1 0.96 4.46
YANBU 0.47 3.82 1.77 1.14 7.14
Figure 2 The Annual Average Thunderstorm/days/year of Saudi Arabia in lines contour