What does the lightning summary data help to determine?

Lightning summary data is crucial for understanding the location and intensity of thunderstorms. This data provides real-time information about lightning activity, which is closely associated with the presence of thunderstorms. When lightning occurrences are monitored, it can reveal how active a storm is and allow for assessments of its potential strength.

Thunderstorms produce significant electrical activity, and an increase in lightning strikes often correlates with a powerful storm cell. By analyzing the frequency and pattern of these strikes, meteorologists are able to ascertain the storm's intensity and geographical reach. This information is essential for aviation safety, as it helps pilots and air traffic controllers avoid flight paths affected by severe weather.

In contrast, lightning summary data does not directly indicate the type of precipitation, visibility in cloud cover, or forecasted wind speed, making these options less relevant in this context. Thus, the understanding gained from lightning activity primarily focuses on identifying thunderstorms and evaluating their strength.