Seasonal Wind Turbine-Associated Lightning in Central Europe

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.