Definition
A weather display feature on a Multi-Function Display (MFD) that shows the location of recent cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes as symbols overlaid on a moving map. The data is gathered by ground-based lightning detection networks and uplinked to the aircraft, allowing the pilot to see where electrical activity is occurring relative to the aircraft's position and route.
Plain English
A map on the cockpit display that shows little symbols where lightning has recently struck, so the pilot can see where thunderstorms are active and avoid them.
Context Anchor
Seen on electronic flight displays and multi-function display weather pages when the aircraft can show weather information in the cockpit.
Derivation
Graphical' comes from the Greek graphikos, meaning 'drawn' or 'shown in pictures.' Here it signals that lightning data is presented visually as symbols on a map, rather than as text or numbers.
Why Pilots Care
Lightning marks active thunderstorms that often contain severe turbulence, icing, and wind shear, helping pilots choose safer routes.
Analogy
It is like seeing lightning pins on a weather map. The pins do not make the storm safe to approach; they help show where the dangerous area may be.
Intuition Check
Do not read “strikes” as meaning lightning has struck the aircraft or the runway. Here it means detected lightning activity displayed as symbols on the aircraft’s weather screen.
Example Sentence 1
Before crossing the ridge, she checked the MFD for graphical lightning strikes and saw a cluster forming twenty miles ahead, so she requested a deviation.
Example Sentence 2
Graphical lightning strikes appeared on the weather overlay even though the radar returns were weak, prompting an earlier turn.