Journal articles on the topic 'Storm electrification'
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1
Calhoun, Kristin M., Edward R. Mansell, Donald R. MacGorman, and David C. Dowell. "Numerical Simulations of Lightning and Storm Charge of the 29–30 May 2004 Geary, Oklahoma, Supercell Thunderstorm Using EnKF Mobile Radar Data Assimilation." Monthly Weather Review 142, no. 11 (October 24, 2014): 3977–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-13-00403.1.
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Abstract Results from simulations are compared with dual-Doppler and total lightning observations of the 29–30 May 2004 high-precipitation supercell storm from the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment (TELEX). The simulations use two-moment microphysics with six hydrometeor categories and parameterizations for electrification and lightning while employing an ensemble Kalman filter for mobile radar data assimilation. Data assimilation was utilized specifically to produce a storm similar to the observed for ancillary analysis of the electrification and lightning associated with the supercell storm. The simulated reflectivity and wind fields well approximated that of the observed storm. Additionally, the simulated lightning flash rates were very large, as was observed. The simulation reveals details of the charge distribution and dependence of lightning on storm kinematics, characteristics that could not be observed directly. Storm electrification was predominately confined to the updraft core, but the persistence of both positive and negative charging of graupel in this region, combined with the kinematic evolution, limited the extent of charged areas of the same polarity. Thus, the propagation length of lightning flashes in this region was also limited. Away from the updraft core, regions of charge had greater areal extent, allowing flashes to travel farther without termination due to unfavorable charge potential. Finally, while the simulation produced the observed lightning holes and high-altitude lightning seen in the observations, it failed to produce the observed lightning initiations (or even lightning channels) in the distant downstream anvil as seen in the observed storm. Instead, the simulated lightning was confined to the main body of the storm.
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Miś, Tomasz Aleksander, and Józef Modelski. "Electrical Phenomena on Fully Airborne Vertical Electric Antennas in Extreme Weather Conditions." Energies 16, no. 1 (December 21, 2022): 52. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en16010052.
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This is a conference extension of the paper ‘Investigation on the mature storm cloud’s electric field using long airborne antennas’. The use of vertical antennas (including the VEDs—Vertical Electric Dipoles), lifted up by aerostats to high altitudes without being anchored to the ground, presents numerous advantages in comparison with large terrestrial VLF (Very Low Frequency) antenna structures. A slow-moving floating-earth conductor—a vertical wire antenna—is subjected to intense electrification mechanisms in the atmosphere and inside the cloud layers, producing additional risks for the transmitter and the flight train itself. The electrical potential achieved in this process is, therefore, compared with the flashover voltages over the antenna’s upper fixing point, defining the voltage margins at which the VLF transmitter is able to operate. The electrification processes are also compared to the model based on experimental data on the occurrence of corona discharges over a long, vertical wire traversing a storm cloud layer. The external electric field strength (around the antenna wire) is calculated and compared with older experimental data for storm clouds for various locations, showing the correctness of the proposed analytical electrification model, and, therefore, expanding it with the loss of the electric charge via corona.
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Tessendorf, Sarah A., Steven A. Rutledge, and Kyle C. Wiens. "Radar and Lightning Observations of Normal and Inverted Polarity Multicellular Storms from STEPS." Monthly Weather Review 135, no. 11 (November 1, 2007): 3682–706. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2007mwr1954.1.
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Abstract This study discusses radar and lightning observations of two multicellular storms observed during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study. The Lightning Mapping Array data indicated that the charge structure of the 19 June 2000 storm was consistent with a normal polarity tripole, while the 22 June 2000 storm exhibited an overall inverted tripolar charge structure. The 19 June storm consisted of weaker convection and produced little to no hail and moderate total flash rates peaking between 80 and 120 min−1. The cells in the 22 June 2000 storm were much more vigorous, exhibited strong, broad updrafts, and produced large quantities of hail, as well as extraordinary total flash rates as high as 500 min−1. The National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) indicated that the 19 June storm produced mostly negative cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning, while the 22 June storm produced predominantly positive CG lightning, peaking at 10 min−1 just after two cells merged. However, the Los Alamos Sferic Array indicated that many of the positive CG strokes reported by the NLDN in the 22 June storm were intracloud discharges known as narrow bipolar events. Negative CG lightning was also observed in the 22 June storm, but typically came to ground beneath an inverted dipole in the storm anvil.
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Kuhlman, Kristin M., Conrad L. Ziegler, Edward R. Mansell, Donald R. MacGorman, and Jerry M. Straka. "Numerically Simulated Electrification and Lightning of the 29 June 2000 STEPS Supercell Storm." Monthly Weather Review 134, no. 10 (October 1, 2006): 2734–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr3217.1.
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Abstract A three-dimensional dynamic cloud model incorporating airflow dynamics, microphysics, and thunderstorm electrification mechanisms is used to simulate the first 3 h of the 29 June 2000 supercell from the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS). The 29 June storm produced large flash rates, predominately positive cloud-to-ground lightning, large hail, and an F1 tornado. Four different simulations of the storm are made, each one using a different noninductive (NI) charging parameterization. The charge structure, and thus lightning polarity, of the simulated storm is sensitive to the treatment of cloud water dependence in the different NI charging schemes. The results from the simulations are compared with observations from STEPS, including balloon-borne electric field meter soundings and flash locations from the Lightning Mapping Array. For two of the parameterizations, the observed “inverted” tripolar charge structure is well approximated by the model. The polarity of the ground flashes is opposite that of the lowest charge region of the inverted tripole in both the observed storm and the simulations. Total flash rate is well correlated with graupel volume, updraft volume, and updraft mass flux. However, there is little correlation between total flash rate and maximum updraft speed. Based on the correlations found in both the observed and simulated storm, the total flash rate appears to be most representative of overall storm intensity.
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Mansell, Edward R., Conrad L. Ziegler, and Eric C. Bruning. "Simulated Electrification of a Small Thunderstorm with Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 67, no. 1 (January 1, 2010): 171–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2009jas2965.1.
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Abstract Electrification and lightning are simulated for a small continental multicell storm. The results are consistent with observations and thus provide additional understanding of the charging processes and evolution of this storm. The first six observed lightning flashes were all negative cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes, after which intracloud (IC) flashes also occurred between middle and upper levels of the storm. The model simulation reproduces the basic evolution of lightning from low and middle levels to upper levels. The observed lightning indicated an initial charge structure of at least an inverted dipole (negative charge above positive). The simulations show that noninductive charge separation higher in the storm can enhance the main negative charge sufficiently to produce negative CG flashes before upper-level IC flashes commence. The result is a “bottom-heavy” tripole charge structure with midlevel negative charge and a lower positive charge region that is more significant than the upper positive region, in contrast to the traditional tripole structure that has a less significant lower positive charge region. Additionally, the occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning is not necessarily a result of excess net charge carried by the storm, but it is primarily caused by the local potential imbalance between the lowest charge regions. The two-moment microphysics scheme used for this study predicted mass mixing ratio and number concentration of cloud droplets, rain, ice crystals, snow, and graupel. Bulk particle density of graupel was also predicted, which allows a single category to represent a greater range of particle characteristics. (An additional hail category is available but was not needed for the present study.) The prediction of hydrometeor number concentration is particularly critical for charge separation at higher temperatures (−5° < T < −20°C) in the mixed phase region, where ice crystals are produced by rime fracturing (Hallett–Mossop process) and by splintering of freezing drops. Cloud droplet concentration prediction also affected the rates of inductive charge separation between graupel and droplets.
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Helsdon, John H., Gang Wu, and Richard D. Farley. "An intracloud lightning parameterization scheme for a storm electrification model." Journal of Geophysical Research 97, no. D5 (1992): 5865. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/92jd00077.
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Pereira, Rebeca Fonseca de Oliveira, and Rachel Albrecht. "EVOLUÇÃO TEMPORAL DA PRECIPITAÇÃO E ATIVIDADE ELÉTRICA DE UMA TEMPESTADE COM OCORRÊNCIA DE TEMPO SEVERO." Ciência e Natura 38 (July 20, 2016): 532. http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179460x20291.
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This study aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of rainfall and electrification of a Convective System, which occured on March 12, 2012 over the city of São Paulo, during the time interval from 1830 to 1945 UTC. An analysis was made of the behavior of the three dimensional structure of radar reflectivity and lightning type Intra-cloud (IN) and Cloud-Solo (NS), based on two lightning detection networks installed in the region during the RAIN Project, in order to correlate the occurrence of severe weather to the evolution of cloud ascending current, precipitation formation and electrification of this storm. It was observed by the reflectivity of the FCTH Radar images that, at times, the SC showed high values of reflectivity, with over 70 dBZ and indicating the presence of hail within the system. Through the behavior of electrical discharges, it is also noted that these accompany the displacement and intensity of the updraft and through the lightning jump, it is possible to detect in advance whether if the storm is intensifying or not. If so, this storm could possibly become a severe weather and cause serious damage to society.
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Gubenko, Inna M., Maria M. Kurbatova, and Konstantin G. Rubinstein. "An explicit method of mesoscale convective storm prediction for the central region of Russia." Advances in Science and Research 15 (August 27, 2018): 213–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-213-2018.
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Abstract. This work presents simulation results of the storm observed on the 13–14 July 2016 over the Central region of Russia. The Cumulonimbus cloud (Cb) electrification model coupled with the numerical weather prediction model WRF-ARW were used for this study. The prognostic values of the electric field magnitude were compared with observations. Forecast scores were obtained. The results show that the proposed approach of explicit modelling of the electric field is applicable to short-term forecasting of intense convection and passage tracking of storms. Obtaining varying values of the electric field could help to identify the diversity of hazardous weather phenomena associated with convection.
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Nesbitt, Stephen W., Paola V. Salio, Eldo Ávila, Phillip Bitzer, Lawrence Carey, V. Chandrasekar, Wiebke Deierling, et al. "A Storm Safari in Subtropical South America: Proyecto RELAMPAGO." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 102, no. 8 (August 2021): E1621—E1644. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/bams-d-20-0029.1.
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AbstractThis article provides an overview of the experimental design, execution, education and public outreach, data collection, and initial scientific results from the Remote Sensing of Electrification, Lightning, and Mesoscale/Microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations (RELAMPAGO) field campaign. RELAMPAGO was a major field campaign conducted in the Córdoba and Mendoza provinces in Argentina and western Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil in 2018–19 that involved more than 200 scientists and students from the United States, Argentina, and Brazil. This campaign was motivated by the physical processes and societal impacts of deep convection that frequently initiates in this region, often along the complex terrain of the Sierras de Córdoba and Andes, and often grows rapidly upscale into dangerous storms that impact society. Observed storms during the experiment produced copious hail, intense flash flooding, extreme lightning flash rates, and other unusual lightning phenomena, but few tornadoes. The five distinct scientific foci of RELAMPAGO—convection initiation, severe weather, upscale growth, hydrometeorology, and lightning and electrification—are described, as are the deployment strategies to observe physical processes relevant to these foci. The campaign’s international cooperation, forecasting efforts, and mission planning strategies enabled a successful data collection effort. In addition, the legacy of RELAMPAGO in South America, including extensive multinational education, public outreach, and social media data gathering associated with the campaign, is summarized.
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Mareev, Evgeny A., and Svetlana O. Dementyeva. "The role of turbulence in thunderstorm, snowstorm, and dust storm electrification." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 122, no. 13 (July 1, 2017): 6976–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016jd026150.
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Mansell, Edward R. "Storm-Scale Ensemble Kalman Filter Assimilation of Total Lightning Flash-Extent Data." Monthly Weather Review 142, no. 10 (September 19, 2014): 3683–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-14-00061.1.
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Abstract A set of observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) demonstrates the potential benefit from ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) assimilation of total lightning flash mapping data. Synthetic lightning data were generated to mimic the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument that is planned for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R series (GOES-R) platform. The truth simulation was conducted using multimoment bulk microphysics, explicit electrification mechanisms, and a branched lightning parameterization to produce 2-min-averaged synthetic pseudo-GLM observations at 8-km GLM resolution and at a hypothetical 1-km resolution. The OSSEs use either perfect (two-moment bulk) or imperfect (single-moment, graupel only) microphysics. One OSSE with perfect microphysics included the same electrification physics as the truth simulation to generate lightning flash rates and flash-extent densities (FED). The other OSSEs used linear relationships between flash rate and graupel echo volume as the observation operator. The assimilation of FED at 8-km horizontal resolution can effectively modulate the convection simulated at 1-km horizontal resolution by sharpening the location of reflectivity echoes and the spatial location probability of convective updrafts. Tests with zero flash rates show that the lightning assimilation can help to limit spurious deep convection, as well. Pseudo-GLM observations at 1 km further sharpen the analyses of location (updraft and reflectivity) of the relatively simple storm structure.
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Helsdon, John H., William A. Wojcik, and Richard D. Farley. "An examination of thunderstorm-charging mechanisms using a two-dimensional storm electrification model." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 106, no. D1 (January 1, 2001): 1165–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2000jd900532.
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Bo, Tian-Li, and Xiao-Jing Zheng. "A field observational study of electrification within a dust storm in Minqin, China." Aeolian Research 8 (March 2013): 39–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2012.11.001.
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Yoshida, S., T. Adachi, K. Kusunoki, S. Hayashi, T. Wu, T. Ushio, and E. Yoshikawa. "Relationship between thunderstorm electrification and storm kinetics revealed by phased array weather radar." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 122, no. 7 (April 10, 2017): 3821–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016jd025947.
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Mach, D. M., R. J. Blakeslee, J. C. Bailey, W. M. Farrell, R. A. Goldberg, M. D. Desch, and J. G. Houser. "Lightning optical pulse statistics from storm overflights during the Altus Cumulus Electrification Study." Atmospheric Research 76, no. 1-4 (July 2005): 386–401. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2004.11.039.
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Fierro, Alexandre O., Edward R. Mansell, Conrad L. Ziegler, and Donald R. MacGorman. "Explicitly Simulated Electrification and Lightning within a Tropical Cyclone Based on the Environment of Hurricane Isaac (2012)." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 72, no. 11 (November 1, 2015): 4167–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas-d-14-0374.1.
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Abstract This work analyzes a high-resolution 350-m simulation of the electrification processes within a hurricane in conjunction with available total lightning observations to augment the general understanding of some of the key cloud-scale electrification processes within these systems. The general environment and trends of Hurricane Isaac (2012), whose lightning activity was observed by the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network, were utilized to produce a reasonable tropical cyclone simulation. The numerical model in this work employs explicit electrification and lightning parameterizations within the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. Overall, simulated storm-total flash origin density rates remain comparable to the observations. Because simulated reflectivities were larger and echo tops were higher in the eyewall than observed, the model consistently overestimated lightning rates there. The gross vertical charge structure in the eyewall resembled a normal tripole or a positive dipole, depending on the location. The negative charge at middle levels and positive at upper levels arose primarily from noninductive charging between graupel and ice crystals/snow. As some graupel melted into rain, the main midlevel negative charge region extended down to the surface in some places. The large volume of positively charged snow aloft caused a radially extensive negative screening layer to form on the lighter ice crystals above it. Akin to continental storms and tropical convection, lightning activity in the eyewall was well correlated with the ice water path (r > 0.7) followed by the graupel + hail path (r ≈ 0.7) and composite reflectivity at temperatures less than −10°C and the snow + ice path (r ≈ 0.5). Relative maxima in updraft volume, graupel volume, and total lightning rates in the eyewall all were coincident with the end of an intensification phase.
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Kumjian, Matthew R., and Wiebke Deierling. "Analysis of Thundersnow Storms over Northern Colorado." Weather and Forecasting 30, no. 6 (November 18, 2015): 1469–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/waf-d-15-0007.1.
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ABSTRACT Lightning flashes during snowstorms occur infrequently compared to warm-season convection. The rarity of such thundersnow events poses an additional hazard because the lightning is unexpected. Because cloud electrification in thundersnow storms leads to relatively few lightning discharges, studying thundersnow events may offer insights into mechanisms for charging and possible thresholds required for lightning discharges. Observations of four northern Colorado thundersnow events that occurred during the 2012/13 winter are presented. Four thundersnow events in one season strongly disagrees with previous climatologies that used surface reports, implying thundersnow may be more common than previously thought. Total lightning information from the Colorado Lightning Mapping Array and data from conterminous United States lightning detection networks are examined to investigate the snowstorms’ electrical properties and to compare them to typical warm-season thunderstorms. Data from polarimetric WSR-88Ds near Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, are used to reveal the storms’ microphysical structure and determine operationally relevant signatures related to storm electrification. Most lightning occurred within convective cells containing graupel and pristine ice. However, one flash occurred in a stratiform snowband, apparently triggered by a tower. Depolarization streaks were observed in the radar data prior to the flash, indicating electric fields strong enough to orient pristine ice crystals. Direct comparisons of similar lightning- and nonlightning-producing convective cells reveal that though both cells likely produced graupel, the lightning-producing cell had larger values of specific differential phase and polarimetric radar–derived ice mass. Compared to warm-season thunderstorms, the analyzed thundersnow storms had similar electrical properties but lower flash rates and smaller vertical depths, suggesting they are weaker, ordinary thunderstorms lacking any warm (>0°C) cloud depth.
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Pessi, Antti T., and Steven Businger. "Relationships among Lightning, Precipitation, and Hydrometeor Characteristics over the North Pacific Ocean*." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 48, no. 4 (April 1, 2009): 833–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2008jamc1817.1.
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Abstract Lightning data from the Pacific Lightning Detection Network (PacNet) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite were compared with TRMM precipitation radar products and latent heating and hydrometeor data. Three years of data over the central North Pacific Ocean were analyzed. The data were divided into winter (October–April) and summer (June–September) seasons. During the winter, the thunderstorms were typically embedded in cold fronts associated with eastward-propagating extratropical cyclones. Summer thunderstorms were triggered by cold upper-level lows associated with the tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TUTT). Concurrent lightning and satellite data associated with the storms were averaged over 0.5° × 0.5° grid cells and a detection efficiency correction model was applied to quantify the lightning rates. The results of the data analysis show a consistent logarithmic increase in convective rainfall rate with increasing lightning rates. Moreover, other storm characteristics such as radar reflectivity, storm height, ice water path, and latent heat show a similar logarithmic increase. Specifically, the reflectivity in the mixed-phase region increased significantly with lightning rate and the lapse rate of Z decreased; both of these features are well-known indicators of the robustness of the cloud electrification process. In addition, the height of the echo tops showed a strong logarithmic correlation with lightning rate. These results have application over data-sparse ocean regions by allowing lightning-rate data to be used as a proxy for related storm properties, which can be assimilated into NWP models.
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MacGorman, Donald R., W. David Rust, Paul Krehbiel, William Rison, Eric Bruning, and Kyle Wiens. "The Electrical Structure of Two Supercell Storms during STEPS." Monthly Weather Review 133, no. 9 (September 1, 2005): 2583–607. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr2994.1.
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Abstract Balloon soundings were made through two supercell storms during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS) in summer 2000. Instruments measured the vector electric field, temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and balloon location. For the first time, soundings penetrated both the strong updraft and the rainy downdraft region of the same supercell storm. In both storms, the strong updraft had fewer vertically separated charge regions than found near the rainy downdraft, and the updraft’s lowest charge was elevated higher, its bottom being near the 40-dBZ boundary of the weak-echo vault. The simpler, elevated charge structure is consistent with the noninductive graupel–ice mechanism dominating charge generation in updrafts. In the weak-echo vault, the amount of frozen precipitation and the time for particle interactions are too small for significant charging. Inductive charging mechanisms and lightning may contribute to the additional charge regions found at lower altitudes outside the updraft. Lightning mapping showed that the in-cloud channels of a positive ground flash could be in any one of the three vertically separated positive charge regions found outside the updraft, but were in the middle region, at 6–8 km MSL, for most positive ground flashes. The observations are consistent with the electrical structure of these storms having been inverted in polarity from that of most storms elsewhere. It is hypothesized that the observed inverted-polarity cloud flashes and positive ground flashes were caused by inverted-polarity storm structure, possibly due to a larger than usual rime accretion rate for graupel in a strong updraft.
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Reinhart, Brad, Henry Fuelberg, Richard Blakeslee, Douglas Mach, Andrew Heymsfield, Aaron Bansemer, Stephen L. Durden, Simone Tanelli, Gerald Heymsfield, and Bjorn Lambrigtsen. "Understanding the Relationships between Lightning, Cloud Microphysics, and Airborne Radar-Derived Storm Structure during Hurricane Karl (2010)." Monthly Weather Review 142, no. 2 (January 24, 2014): 590–605. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-13-00008.1.
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Abstract This study explores relationships between lightning, cloud microphysics, and tropical cyclone (TC) storm structure in Hurricane Karl (16 September 2010) using data collected by the NASA DC-8 and Global Hawk (GH) aircraft during NASA’s Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) experiment. The research capitalizes on the unique opportunity provided by GRIP to synthesize multiple datasets from two aircraft and analyze the microphysical and kinematic properties of an electrified TC. Five coordinated flight legs through Karl by the DC-8 and GH are investigated, focusing on the inner-core region (within 50 km of the storm center) where the lightning was concentrated and the aircraft were well coordinated. GRIP datasets are used to compare properties of electrified and nonelectrified inner-core regions that are related to the noninductive charging mechanism, which is widely accepted to explain the observed electric fields within thunderstorms. Three common characteristics of Karl’s electrified regions are identified: 1) strong updrafts of 10–20 m s−1, 2) deep mixed-phase layers indicated by reflectivities >30 dBZ extending several kilometers above the freezing level, and 3) microphysical environments consisting of graupel, very small ice particles, and the inferred presence of supercooled water. These characteristics describe an environment favorable for in situ noninductive charging and, hence, TC electrification. The electrified regions in Karl’s inner core are attributable to a microphysical environment that was conducive to electrification because of occasional, strong convective updrafts in the eyewall.
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Pinty, Jean-Pierre, and Christelle Barthe. "Ensemble Simulation of the Lightning Flash Variability in a 3D Cloud Model with Parameterizations of Cloud Electrification and Lightning Flashes." Monthly Weather Review 136, no. 1 (January 1, 2008): 380–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2007mwr2186.1.
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Abstract A series of ensemble simulations were performed to study the statistics of flash characteristics produced by an electrification and lightning scheme in the cloud-resolving model Méso-NH. Here, the electrical variability of two storms—one supercellular and one multicellular—results from a random triggering location of the flashes and from a branching algorithm that describes the flash path. The study shows that the electrical model is able to generate several estimates of the total flash number for an identical evolution of the dynamics and microphysics of each storm in the 120 ensemble members. The variability of the flash number spans over three standard deviations taken from the ensemble mean. The simulations produce regularly shaped distributions of flash internal parameters (i.e., number of segments and branching levels per flash). The ensemble simulation shows that the model is stable and self-regulatory as suggested by the limited overshoot on the maximum electric field time series. An application to the production of nitrogen oxides indicates that the two storms produce 200 ± 150 mol of NO per flash on average.
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Petersen, W. A. "Shipborne Dual-Doppler Operations during TOGA COARE: Integrated Observations of Storm Kinematics and Electrification." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 80, no. 3 (March 1, 1999): 471. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477-80.3.471.
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Petersen, Walter A., Steven A. Rutledge, Robert C. Cifelli, Brad S. Ferrier, and Bradley F. Smull. "Shipborne Dual-Doppler Operations during TOGA COARE: Integrated Observations of Storm Kinematics and Electrification." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 80, no. 1 (January 1999): 81–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477(1999)080<0081:sddodt>2.0.co;2.
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Krehbiel, P., T. Chen, S. McCrary, W. Rison, G. Gray, and M. Brook. "The use of dual channel circular-polarization radar observations for remotely sensing storm electrification." Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics 59, no. 1-2 (1996): 65–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf01032001.
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Carey, Lawrence D., Walter A. Petersen, and Steven A. Rutledge. "Evolution of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning and Storm Structure in the Spencer, South Dakota, Tornadic Supercell of 30 May 1998." Monthly Weather Review 131, no. 8 (August 1, 2003): 1811–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175//2566.1.
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Abstract On 30 May 1998, a tornado devastated the town of Spencer, South Dakota. The Spencer tornado (rated F4 on the Fujita tornado intensity scale) was the third and most intense of five tornadoes produced by a single supercell storm during an approximate 1-h period. The supercell produced over 76% positive cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning and a peak positive CG flash rate of 18 flashes min−1 (5-min average) during a 2-h period surrounding the tornado damage. Earlier studies have reported anomalous positive CG lightning activity in some supercell storms producing violent tornadoes. However, what makes the CG lightning activity in this tornadic storm unique is the magnitude and timing of the positive ground flashes relative to the F4 tornado. In previous studies, supercells dominated by positive CG lightning produced their most violent tornado after they attained their maximum positive ground flash rate, whenever the rate exceeded 1.5 flashes min−1. Further, tornadogenesis often occurred during a lull in CG lightning activity and sometimes during a reversal from positive to negative polarity. Contrary to these findings, the positive CG lightning flash rate and percentage of positive CG lightning in the Spencer supercell increased dramatically while the storm was producing F4 damage on Spencer. These results have important implications for the use of CG lightning in the nowcasting of tornadoes and for the understanding of cloud electrification in these unique storms. In order to further explore these issues, the authors present detailed analyses of storm evolution and structure using Sioux Falls, South Dakota, (KFSD) Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) radar reflectivity and Doppler velocity and National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) CG lightning data. The analyses suggest that a merger between the Spencer supercell and a squall line on its rear flank may have provided the impetus for both the F4 tornadic damage and the dramatic increase in positive CG lightning during the tornado, possibly explaining the difference in timing compared to past studies.
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Tessendorf, Sarah A., Kyle C. Wiens, and Steven A. Rutledge. "Radar and Lightning Observations of the 3 June 2000 Electrically Inverted Storm from STEPS." Monthly Weather Review 135, no. 11 (November 1, 2007): 3665–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2006mwr1953.1.
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Abstract This study addresses the kinematic, microphysical, and electrical evolution of an isolated convective storm observed on 3 June 2000 during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study field campaign. Doppler-derived vertical velocities, radar reflectivity, hydrometeor classifications from polarimetric radar, and Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) charge structures are examined over a nearly 3-h period. This storm, characterized as a low-precipitation supercell, produced modest amounts of hail, determined by fuzzy-logic hydrometeor classification as mostly small (<2 cm) hail, with one surface report of large (≥2 cm) hail. Doppler-derived updraft speeds peaked between 20 and 25 m s−1, and reflectivity was never greater than 60 dBZ. The most striking feature of this storm was its total lack of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning. Though this storm was electrically active, with maximum flash rates near 30 per minute, no CG flashes of either polarity were detected. The charge structure inferred from the LMA observations was consistent with an inverted dipole, defined as having a midlevel positive charge region below upper-level negative charge. Inverted charge structures have typically been considered conducive to producing positive CG lightning; however, the 3 June storm appeared to lack the lower negative charge layer below the inverted dipole that is thought to provide the downward electrical bias necessary for positive CG lightning.
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Fierro, Alexandre O., Matthew S. Gilmore, Edward R. Mansell, Louis J. Wicker, and Jerry M. Straka. "Electrification and Lightning in an Idealized Boundary-Crossing Supercell Simulation of 2 June 1995*." Monthly Weather Review 134, no. 11 (November 1, 2006): 3149–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr3231.1.
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Abstract A nonhydrostatic cloud model with electrification and lightning processes was utilized to investigate how simulated supercell thunderstorms respond when they move into environments favorable for storm intensification. One model simulation was initialized with an idealized horizontally varying environment, characteristic of that observed across an outflow boundary in the west Texas Panhandle on 2 June 1995 with larger convective available potential energy (CAPE) and wind shear on the boundary’s cool side. That simulation was compared with a control simulation initialized without the boundary. The simulated right-moving supercell rapidly increased in updraft strength and volume, low-level rotation, radar reflectivity, and 40-dBZ echo-top height as it crossed the boundary, whereas the supercell that did not cross the boundary failed to intensify. For the same kinematic and microphysical evolution and the same inductive charging parameterization, four noninductive (NI) charging parameterizations were tested. In all four cases, there was a general tendency for the charge regions to be lofted higher within the updraft after crossing the boundary. Once the precipitation regions between the main storm and a secondary storm started merging farther on the cool side of the boundary, a gradual deepening and strengthening of the lowest charge regions occurred with relatively large increases in hail and graupel volume, charging rates, charge volume, charge density, and intracloud and cloud-to-ground (CG) flash rates. The negative charge present on graupel within the downdraft appeared to have a common origin via strong NI charging within the midlevel updraft in all four NI cases. Positive channels were more consistent in coming closer to the ground with time compared to negative channels within this graupel and hail-filled downdraft (four of four cases). Those NI schemes that also set up a positive dipole (three of four cases) or inverted tripole (two of four cases) above the downdraft had downward-propagating positive channels that reached ground as positive CG (+CG) flashes. The best overall performance relative to the 2 June 1995 CG lightning observations occurred within one of the rime-accretion-rate-based schemes and the Gardiner scheme as parameterized by Ziegler.
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Weiss, Stephanie A., W. David Rust, Donald R. MacGorman, Eric C. Bruning, and Paul R. Krehbiel. "Evolving Complex Electrical Structures of the STEPS 25 June 2000 Multicell Storm." Monthly Weather Review 136, no. 2 (February 1, 2008): 741–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2007mwr2023.1.
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Abstract Data from a three-dimensional lightning mapping array (LMA) and from two soundings by balloon-borne electric field meters (EFMs) were used to analyze the electrical structures of a multicell storm observed on 25 June 2000 during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS). This storm had a complex, multicell structure with four sections, each of whose electrical structure differed from that of the others during all or part of the analyzed period. The number of vertically stacked charge regions in any given section of the storm ranged from two to six. The most complex charge and lightning structures occurred in regions with the highest reflectivity values and the deepest reflectivity cores. Intracloud flashes tended to concentrate in areas with large radar reflectivity values, though some propagated across more than one core of high reflectivity or into the low-reflectivity anvil. Intracloud lightning flash rates decreased as the vertical extent and maximum value of reflectivity cores decreased. Cloud-to-ground flash rates increased as cores of high reflectivity descended to low altitudes. Most cloud-to-ground flashes were positive. All observed positive ground flashes initiated between the lowest-altitude negative charge region and a positive charge region just above it. The storm’s complexity makes it hard to classify the vertical polarity of its overall charge structure, but most of the storm had a different vertical polarity than what is typically observed outside the Great Plains. The electrical structure can vary considerably from storm to storm, or even within the same storm, as in the present case.
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Calhoun, Kristin M., Donald R. MacGorman, Conrad L. Ziegler, and Michael I. Biggerstaff. "Evolution of Lightning Activity and Storm Charge Relative to Dual-Doppler Analysis of a High-Precipitation Supercell Storm." Monthly Weather Review 141, no. 7 (July 1, 2013): 2199–223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-12-00258.1.
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Abstract A high-precipitation tornadic supercell storm was observed on 29–30 May 2004 during the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment. Observational systems included the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array, mobile balloon-borne soundings, and two mobile C-band radars. The spatial distribution and evolution of lightning are related to storm kinematics and microphysics, specifically through regions of microphysical charging and the location and geometry of those charge regions. Lightning flashes near the core of this storm were extraordinarily frequent, but tended to be of shorter duration and smaller horizontal extent than typical flashes elsewhere. This is hypothesized to be due to the charge being in many small pockets, with opposite polarities of charge close together in adjoining pockets. Thus, each polarity of lightning leader could propagate only a relatively short distance before reaching regions of unfavorable electric potential. In the anvil, however, lightning extended tens of kilometers from the reflectivity cores in roughly horizontal layers, consistent with the charge spreading through the anvil in broad sheets. The strong, consistent updraft of this high-precipitation supercell storm combined with the large hydrometeor concentrations to produce the extremely high flash rates observed during the analysis period. The strength and size of the updraft also contributed to unique lightning characteristics such as the transient hole of reduced lightning density and discharges in the overshooting top.
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Mansell, Edward R., and Conrad L. Ziegler. "Aerosol Effects on Simulated Storm Electrification and Precipitation in a Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics Model." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 70, no. 7 (July 1, 2013): 2032–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas-d-12-0264.1.
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Abstract The effects of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations are found to strongly affect the microphysical and electrical evolution of a numerically simulated small multicell storm. The simulations reproduce the well-known effects of updraft invigoration and delay of precipitation formation as increasing CCN from low to intermediate concentrations causes droplet sizes to decrease. Peak updrafts increased from 16 m s−1 at the lowest CCN to a maximum of 21–22 m s−1 at moderate CCN, where condensation latent heating is maximized. The transition from low to high CCN first maximizes warm-rain production before switching over to the ice process as the dominant precipitation mechanism. Average graupel density stays fairly high and constant at lower CCN, but then drops monotonically at higher CCN concentration, although high CCN also foster the appearance of small regions of larger, high-density graupel with high simulated radar reflectivity. Graupel production increases monotonically as CCN concentration rises from 50 to about 2000 cm−3. The lightning response is relatively weak until the Hallett–Mossop rime-splintering ice multiplication becomes more active at CCN > 700 cm−3. At very high CCN concentrations (>2000 cm−3), graupel production decreases slowly, but lightning activity drops dramatically when the parameterization of Hallett–Mossop rime-splintering ice multiplication is based on the number of large cloud droplets collected by graupel. Conversely, lightning activity remains steady at extremely high CCN concentration when the Hallett–Mossop parameterization is based simply on the rate of rime mass accumulation. The results lend support to the aerosol hypothesis as applied to lightning production, whereby greater CCN concentration tends to lead to greater lightning activity, but with a large sensitivity to ice multiplication.
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Tessendorf, Sarah A., L. Jay Miller, Kyle C. Wiens, and Steven A. Rutledge. "The 29 June 2000 Supercell Observed during STEPS. Part I: Kinematics and Microphysics." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 62, no. 12 (December 1, 2005): 4127–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas3585.1.
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Abstract This is a two-part study that addresses the kinematic, microphysical, and electrical aspects of a severe storm that occurred in western Kansas on 29 June 2000 observed during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS) field campaign. In this first part, polarimetric and Doppler radar data are used along with a simple particle growth model to examine the evolution of the kinematic and microphysical properties of the storm from its earliest developing phase through its mature and dissipating phases. During its severe stage, the storm exhibited frequent positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, very large (∼5 cm) hail, and a tornado. Doppler-derived winds, radar reflectivity, and hydrometeor classifications from the polarimetric data over a nearly 4-h period are presented. It is shown that updraft velocity and vertical vorticity had to reach magnitudes of at least 10 m s−1 and 10−2 s−1 and occupy major portions of the storm before it could produce most of the observed severe storm characteristics. Furthermore, the establishment of cyclonic horizontal flow around the right flank of the updraft core was essential for hail production. Most of the largest hail grew from near millimeter-sized particles that originated in the mid- to upper-level stagnation region that resulted from obstacle-like flow of environmental air around the divergent outflow from the upper part of the updraft. These recycling embryonic particles descended around the right flank of the updraft core and reentered the updraft, intermingling with other smaller particles that had grown from cloud base along the main low-level updraft stream.
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Hartigan, Joshua, Shev MacNamara, Lance Leslie, and Milton Speer. "High resolution simulations of a tornadic storm affecting Sydney." ANZIAM Journal 62 (May 23, 2021): C1—C15. http://dx.doi.org/10.21914/anziamj.v62.16113.
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On 16 December 2015 a severe thunderstorm and associated tornado affected Sydney causing widespread damage and insured losses of $206 million. Severe impacts occurred in Kurnell, requiring repairs to Sydney's desalination plant which supplies up to 15% of Sydney water during drought, with repairs only completed at the end of 2018. Climatologically, this storm was unusual as it occurred during the morning and had developed over the ocean, rather than developing inland during the afternoon as is the case for many severe storms impacting the Sydney region. Simulations of the Kurnell storm were conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on a double nested domain using the Morrison microphysics scheme and the NSSL 2-moment 4-ice microphysics scheme. Both simulations produced severe storms that followed paths similar to the observed storm. However, the storm produced under the Morrison scheme did not have the same morphology as the observed storm. Meanwhile, the storm simulated with the NSSL scheme displayed cyclical low- and mid-level mesocyclone development, which was observed in the Kurnell storm, highlighting that the atmosphere supported the development of severe rotating thunderstorms with the potential for tornadogenesis. The NSSL storm also produced severe hail and surface winds, similar to observations. The ability of WRF to simulate general convective characteristics and a storm similar to that observed displays the applicability of this model to study the causes of severe high-impact Australian thunderstorms. References J. T. Allen and E. R. Allen. A review of severe thunderstorms in Australia. Atmos. Res., 178:347–366, 2016. doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.03.011. Bureau of Meteorology. Severe Storms Archive, 2020. URL http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/stormarchive/. D. T. Dawson II, M. Xue, J. A. Milbrandt, and M. K. Yau. Comparison of evaporation and cold pool development between single-moment and multimoment bulk microphysics schemes in idealized simulations of tornadic thunderstorms. Month. Wea. Rev., 138:1152–1171, 2010. doi:10.1175/2009MWR2956.1. H. Hersbach, B. Bell, P. Berrisford, S. Hirahara, A. Horanyi, J. Munoz-Sabater, J. Nicolas, C. Peubey, R. Radu, D. Schepers, et al. The ERA5 global reanalysis. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 146:1999–2049, 2020. doi:10.1002/qj.3803. Insurance Council of Australia. Victorian bushfire losses push summer catastrophe bill past $550m, 2016. E. R. Mansell, C. L. Ziegler, and E. C. Bruning. Simulated electrification of a small thunderstorm with two-moment bulk microphysics. J. Atmos. Sci., 67:171–194, 2010. doi:10.1175/2009JAS2965.1. R. C. Miller. Notes on analysis and severe-storm forecasting procedures of the Air Force Global Weather Central, volume 200. Air Weather Service, 1972. URL https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD0744042. H. Morrison, J. A. Curry, and V. I. Khvorostyanov. A new double-moment microphysics parameterization for application in cloud and climate models. Part I: Description. J. Atmos. Sci., 62:1665–1677, 2005. doi:10.1175/JAS3446.1. H. Morrison, G. Thompson, and V. Tatarskii. Impact of cloud microphysics on the development of trailing stratiform precipitation in a simulated squall line: Comparison of one- and two-moment schemes. Month. Wea. Rev., 137:991–1007, 2009. doi:10.1175/2008MWR2556.1. J. G. Powers, J. B. Klemp, W. C. Skamarock, C. A. Davis, J. Dudhia, D. O. Gill, J. L. Coen, D. J. Gochis, R. Ahmadov, S. E. Peckham, et al. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model: Overview, system efforts, and future directions. Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc., 98:1717–1737, 2017. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-15-00308.1. H. Richter, A. Protat, J. Taylor, and J. Soderholm. Doppler radar and storm environment observations of a maritime tornadic supercell in Sydney, Australia. In Preprints, 28th Conf. on Severe Local Storms, Portland OR, Amer. Meteor. Soc. P, 2016. W. C. Skamarock, J. B. Klemp, J. Dudhia, D. O. Gill, Z. Liu, J. Berner, W. Wang, J. G. Powers, M. G. Duda, D. Barker, and X.-Y. Huang. A description of the advanced research WRF Model version 4. Technical report, 2019. Storm Prediction Center. The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale), 2014. URL https://www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale/. R. A. Warren, H. A. Ramsay, S. T. Siems, M. J. Manton, J. R. Peter, A. Protat, and A. Pillalamarri. Radar-based climatology of damaging hailstorms in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 146:505–530, 2020. doi:10.1002/qj.3693.
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Schumacher, Russ S., Deanna A. Hence, Stephen W. Nesbitt, Robert J. Trapp, Karen A. Kosiba, Joshua Wurman, Paola Salio, Martin Rugna, Adam C. Varble, and Nathan R. Kelly. "Convective-Storm Environments in Subtropical South America from High-Frequency Soundings during RELAMPAGO-CACTI." Monthly Weather Review 149, no. 5 (May 2021): 1439–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-20-0293.1.
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AbstractDuring the Remote Sensing of Electrification, Lightning, and Mesoscale/Microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations-Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (RELAMPAGO-CACTI) field experiments in 2018–19, an unprecedented number of balloon-borne soundings were collected in Argentina. Radiosondes were launched from both fixed and mobile platforms, yielding 2712 soundings during the period 15 October 2018–30 April 2019. Approximately 20% of these soundings were collected by highly mobile platforms, strategically positioned for each intensive observing period, and launching approximately once per hour. The combination of fixed and mobile soundings capture both the overall conditions characterizing the RELAMPAGO-CACTI campaign, as well as the detailed evolution of environments supporting the initiation and upscale growth of deep convective storms, including some that produced hazardous hail and heavy rainfall. Episodes of frequent convection were characterized by sufficient quantities of moisture and instability for deep convection, along with deep-layer vertical wind shear supportive of organized or rotating storms. A total of 11 soundings showed most unstable convective available potential energy (MUCAPE) exceeding 6000 J kg−1, comparable to the extreme instability observed in other parts of the world with intense deep convection. Parameters used to diagnose severe-storm potential showed that conditions were often favorable for supercells and severe hail, but not for tornadoes, primarily because of insufficient low-level wind shear. High-frequency soundings also revealed the structure and evolution of the boundary layer leading up to convection initiation, convectively generated cold pools, the South American low-level jet (SALLJ), and elevated nocturnal convection. This sounding dataset will enable improved understanding and prediction of convective storms and their surroundings in subtropical South America, as well as comparisons with other heavily studied regions such as the central United States that have not previously been possible.
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Fierro, Alexandre O., and Edward R. Mansell. "Relationships between Electrification and Storm-Scale Properties Based on Idealized Simulations of an Intensifying Hurricane-Like Vortex." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 75, no. 2 (February 1, 2018): 657–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas-d-17-0202.1.
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AbstractThis study investigates relationships between storm-scale properties and the electrification and lightning of two simulations of an intensifying idealized tropical cyclone (TC) using the cloud-resolving Collaborative Model for Multiscale Atmospheric Simulation (COMMAS). To produce an intensifying storm, an initial weak TC is subjected to a linear increase in sea surface temperature.As the TC intensifies, lightning flash rates increase in both the inner core (r ≤ 100 km) and outer region (100 < r ≤ 300 km). As time progresses, lightning in the outer region gradually decreases, while the inner-core lightning remains relatively steady. Bootstrapped correlation statistics using 1000 random samples between the pressure trace and time series of lightning rates shows a statistically significant negative correlation between inner-core lightning and TC intensification. Lightning rates in the outer bands were found to lag minimum surface pressure by 12 h.The increases in lightning in both the inner core and outer region coincided well with increases in 0.5 g kg−1 graupel and 5 m s−1 updraft volumes in each respective region. Correlation statistics with selected kinematic and microphysical variables known to be associated with lightning in thunderstorms, such as the ice water path, integrated updraft volume, and graupel volume, revealed that their increase in the inner core indicated an ongoing deepening, similar to the lightning. Trends in these proxy variables in the outer bands were also found to lag TC intensification by 12 h.Overall, the best linear relationships with lightning in either the inner core or the outer region were obtained with the 0.5 g kg−1 graupel volume and total graupel mass.
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Toth, Joseph R., Siddharth Rajupet, Henry Squire, Blaire Volbers, Jùn Zhou, Xie Li, R. Mohan Sankaran, and Daniel J. Lacks. "Electrostatic charging of wind-blown dust and implications on dust transport." E3S Web of Conferences 99 (2019): 02011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20199902011.
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It is well known that electric fields occur in wind-blown dust, due to the triboelectric charging of particles as they collide. Triboelectric charging, or contact electrification, is a poorly understood and complex phenomenon. It is especially important in granular systems, as the high surface-to-volume ratio can lead to the build-up of large amounts of charge. A particularly surprising effect, which is important in dust systems, is that charge transfer occurs in systems of a single composition, such that there is a particle-size dependent polarity of the particles. Here, we use a combined experimental and theoretical approach to elucidate the electrostatic charging that occurs during dust storms, and the effects of this electrostatic charging on dust transport. We create laboratory-scale wind-blown dust systems, and study the electrostatic charging. We find that larger particles tend to charge positive and to stay at or near the sand bed, while smaller particles tend to charge negative and get lofted to higher elevations. This self-segregating of charged particles would lead to electric fields within a dust storm. Our results show that electric fields then increase the dust transport by more easily lofting charged particles.
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Sun, Juanzhen. "Initialization and Numerical Forecasting of a Supercell Storm Observed during STEPS." Monthly Weather Review 133, no. 4 (April 2005): 793–813. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr2887.1.
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The feasibility of initializing a numerical cloud model with single-Doppler observations and predicting the evolution of thunderstorms has been tested using an observed case of a supercell storm during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS). Single-Doppler observations from the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) at Goodland, Kansas, are assimilated into a cloud-scale numerical model using a four-dimensional variational data assimilation (4DVAR) scheme. A number of assimilation and short-range numerical prediction experiments are conducted. Both the assimilation and prediction results are compared with those of a dual-Doppler synthesis. The prediction results are also verified with reflectivity observations. It is shown that the analysis of the wind field captures the major structure of the storm as revealed by the dual-Doppler synthesis. Thermodynamical and microphysical features retrieved through the dynamical model show consistency with expectations for a deep convective storm. The predicted storm evolution represented by the reflectivity field correlates well with the observations for a 2-h prediction period. The relative importance of the initial fields on the subsequent prediction of the storm evolution is examined by alternately removing the perturbation in each of the initial fields. It is shown that the prediction is most sensitive to the initialization of wind, water vapor, and temperature perturbations. A number of sensitivity experiments for initialization are conducted to show how the initial analysis depends on the application of a cycling procedure, the weights of the smoothness constraint, and the relative importance between the radial velocity and the reflectivity observations. It is found that the application of the cycling procedure improves the analysis and the subsequent forecast. Greater smoothness coefficients of the penalty term in the cost function result in a larger rms difference in the wind analysis, but help spread the information out and improve the forecast slightly. The radial velocity observations play a more important role than the reflectivity in terms of the wind analysis and the subsequent precipitation forecast.
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Liu, Lianguang, Xiaoning Ge, Wei Zong, You Zhou, and Mingguang Liu. "Analysis of the monitoring data of geomagnetic storm interference in the electrification system of a high-speed railway." Space Weather 14, no. 10 (October 2016): 754–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2016sw001411.
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Phillips, Vaughan T. J., Marco Formenton, Vijay P. Kanawade, Linus R. Karlsson, Sachin Patade, Jiming Sun, Christelle Barthe, et al. "Multiple Environmental Influences on the Lightning of Cold-Based Continental Cumulonimbus Clouds. Part I: Description and Validation of Model." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 77, no. 12 (December 2020): 3999–4024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas-d-19-0200.1.
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AbstractIn this two-part paper, influences from environmental factors on lightning in a convective storm are assessed with a model. In Part I, an electrical component is described and applied in the Aerosol–Cloud model (AC). AC treats many types of secondary (e.g., breakup in ice–ice collisions, raindrop-freezing fragmentation, rime splintering) and primary (heterogeneous, homogeneous freezing) ice initiation. AC represents lightning flashes with a statistical treatment of branching from a fractal law constrained by video imagery.The storm simulated is from the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS; 19/20 June 2000). The simulation was validated microphysically [e.g., ice/droplet concentrations and mean sizes, liquid water content (LWC), reflectivity, surface precipitation] and dynamically (e.g., ascent) in our 2017 paper. Predicted ice concentrations (~10 L−1) agreed—to within a factor of about 2—with aircraft data at flight levels (−10° to −15°C). Here, electrical statistics of the same simulation are compared with observations. Flash rates (to within a factor of 2), triggering altitudes and polarity of flashes, and electric fields, all agree with the coincident STEPS observations.The “normal” tripole of charge structure observed during an electrical balloon sounding is reproduced by AC. It is related to reversal of polarity of noninductive charging in ice–ice collisions seen in laboratory experiments when temperature or LWC are varied. Positively charged graupel and negatively charged snow at most midlevels, charged away from the fastest updrafts, is predicted to cause the normal tripole. Total charge separated in the simulated storm is dominated by collisions involving secondary ice from fragmentation in graupel–snow collisions.
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Sivokon, V. P. "GEOPHYSICAL ASPECT OF A CATASTROPHIC LAUNCH OF STARLINK SATELLITES." Bulletin оf Kamchatka State Technical University, no. 59 (2022): 6–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.17217/2079-0333-2022-59-6-14.
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On February 3, 2022, as part of the SpaceX program, the next Falcon 9 carrier with Starlink satellites was launched. The launch was unsuccessful, which led to the loss of 40 out of 49 satellites. According to SpaceX experts, the cause of this event was an increase in the density of the atmosphere in the intermediate orbit, due to a magnetic storm, followed by deceleration and loss of satellites. Based on the analysis of the geomagnetic situation, the article shows that it is not enough to limit ourselves to consider only a possible change in the density of the atmosphere as the cause of the catastrophe. Most likely, the reason is complex and involves, among other issues, a failure in the operation of the radio-electronic equipment of the satellites due to induced currents and their electrification.
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Sharma, Milind, Robin L. Tanamachi, Eric C. Bruning, and Kristin M. Calhoun. "Polarimetric and Electrical Structure of the 19 May 2013 Edmond–Carney, Oklahoma, Tornadic Supercell." Monthly Weather Review 149, no. 7 (July 2021): 2049–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-20-0280.1.
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AbstractWe demonstrate the utility of transient polarimetric signatures (ZDR and KDP columns, a proxy for surges in a thunderstorm updraft) to explain variability in lightning flash rates in a tornadic supercell. Observational data from a WSR-88D and the Oklahoma lightning mapping array are used to map the temporal variance of polarimetric signatures and VHF sources from lightning channels. It is shown, via three-dimensional and cross-sectional analyses, that the storm was of inverted polarity resulting from anomalous electrification. Statistical analysis confirms that mean flash area in the ZDR column region was 10 times smaller than elsewhere in the storm. On an average, 5 times more flash initiations occurred within ZDR column regions, thereby supporting existing theory of an inverse relationship between flash initiation rates and lightning channel extent. Segmentation and object identification algorithms are applied to gridded radar data to calculate metrics such as height, width, and volume of ZDR and KDP columns. Variability in lightning flash rates is best explained by the fluctuations in ZDR column volume with a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient value of 0.72. The highest flash rates occur in conjunction with the deepest ZDR columns (up to 5 km above environmental melting level) and largest volumes of ZDR columns extending up to the −20°C level (3 km above the melting level). Reduced flash rates toward the end of the analysis are indicative of weaker updrafts manifested as low ZDR column volumes at and above the −10°C level. These findings are consistent with recent studies linking lightning to the interplay between storm dynamics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and precipitation microphysics.
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Payne, Clark D., Terry J. Schuur, Donald R. MacGorman, Michael I. Biggerstaff, Kristin M. Kuhlman, and W. David Rust. "Polarimetric and Electrical Characteristics of a Lightning Ring in a Supercell Storm." Monthly Weather Review 138, no. 6 (June 1, 2010): 2405–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2009mwr3210.1.
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Abstract On 30 May 2004, a supercell storm was sampled by a suite of instrumentation that had been deployed as part of the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment (TELEX). The instrumentation included the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (OK-LMA), the National Severe Storms Laboratory S-band Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) polarimetric radar at Norman, Oklahoma, and two mobile C-band, Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radars (SMART-R). Combined, datasets collected by these instruments provided a unique opportunity to investigate the possible relationships among the supercell’s kinematic, microphysical, and electrical characteristics. This study focuses on the evolution of a ring of lightning activity that formed near the main updraft at approximately 0012 UTC, matured near 0039 UTC, and collapsed near 0050 UTC. During this time period, an F2-intensity tornado occurred near the lightning-ring region. Lightning density contours computed over 1-km layers are overlaid on polarimetric and dual-Doppler data to assess the low- and midlevel kinematic and microphysical characteristics within the lightning-ring region. Results indicate that the lightning ring begins in the middle and upper levels of the precipitation-cascade region, which is characterized by inferred graupel. The second time period shows that the lightning source densities take on a horizontal u-shaped pattern that is collocated with midlevel differential reflectivity and correlation coefficient rings and with the strong cyclonic vertical vorticity noted in the dual-Doppler data. The final time period shows dissipation of the u-shaped pattern and the polarimetric signatures as well as an increase in the lightning activity at the lower levels associated with the development of the rear-flank downdraft (RFD) and the envelopment of the vertical vorticity maximum by the RFD.
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Stith, J. L., B. Basarab, S. A. Rutledge, and A. Weinheimer. "Anvil microphysical signatures associated with lightning-produced NO<sub><i>x</i></sub>." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions 15, no. 21 (November 12, 2015): 31705–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acpd-15-31705-2015.
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Abstract. Thunderstorm anvils were studied during the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry experiment (DC3), using in situ measurements and observations of ice particles and NOx together with radar and lightning mapping array measurements. A characteristic ice particle and NOx signature was found in the anvils from three storms, each containing high lightning flash rates in the storm core prior to anvil sampling. This signature exhibits high concentrations of frozen droplets (as measured by a Cloud Droplet Probe) coincident with lower NOx on the edges of the anvil. The central portion of these anvils exhibited a high degree of aggregation of these frozen droplets and higher levels of NOx. In contrast, a deep convective cell with low lightning flash rates had high concentrations of frozen droplets in its anvil's central region. A conceptual model for these results is presented. The abundance of frozen drop (chain) aggregates vs. individual frozen droplets in the central anvil region of the strong thunderstorms that were studied appears to be related to the degree of electrification (marked by increased lightning flash rates). Accordingly, the highest NOx concentrations coexist with regions where the most aggregation of frozen droplets has occurred. These observations between anvil microphysics and lightning/NOx signatures suggest that lightning data may be an important tool to characterize or infer the microphysical, radiative and chemical properties of thunderstorm anvils.
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Bruning, Eric C., W. David Rust, Terry J. Schuur, Donald R. MacGorman, Paul R. Krehbiel, and William Rison. "Electrical and Polarimetric Radar Observations of a Multicell Storm in TELEX." Monthly Weather Review 135, no. 7 (July 1, 2007): 2525–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr3421.1.
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Abstract On 28–29 June 2004 a multicellular thunderstorm west of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was probed as part of the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment field program. This study makes use of radar observations from the Norman, Oklahoma, polarimetric Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler, three-dimensional lightning mapping data from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), and balloon-borne vector electric field meter (EFM) measurements. The storm had a low flash rate (30 flashes in 40 min). Four charge regions were inferred from a combination of LMA and EFM data. Lower positive charge near 4 km and midlevel negative charge from 4.5 to 6 km MSL (from 0° to −6.5°C) were generated in and adjacent to a vigorous updraft pulse. Further midlevel negative charge from 4.5 to 6 km MSL and upper positive charge from 6 to 8 km (from −6.5° to −19°C) were generated later in quantity sufficient to initiate lightning as the updraft decayed. A negative screening layer was present near the storm top (8.5 km MSL, −25°C). Initial lightning flashes were between lower positive and midlevel negative charge and started occurring shortly after a cell began lofting hydrometeors into the mixed phase region, where graupel was formed. A leader from the storm’s first flash avoided a region where polarimetric radar suggested wet growth and the resultant absence of noninductive charging of those hydrometeors. Initiation locations of later flashes that propagated into the upper positive charge tracked the descending location of a polarimetric signature of graupel. As the storm decayed, electric fields greater than 160 kV m−1 exceeded the minimum threshold for lightning initiation suggested by the hypothesized runaway breakdown process at 5.5 km MSL, but lightning did not occur. The small spatial extent (≈100 m) of the large electric field may not have been sufficient to allow runaway breakdown to fully develop and initiate lightning.
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Griffin, Erica M., Terry J. Schuur, Alexander V. Ryzhkov, Heather D. Reeves, and Joseph C. Picca. "A Polarimetric and Microphysical Investigation of the Northeast Blizzard of 8–9 February 2013." Weather and Forecasting 29, no. 6 (December 1, 2014): 1271–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/waf-d-14-00056.1.
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Abstract On 8–9 February 2013, the northeastern United States experienced a historic winter weather event ranking among the top five worst blizzards in the region. Heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions occurred from northern New Jersey, inland to New York, and northward through Maine. Storm-total snow accumulations of 30–61 cm were common, with maximum accumulations up to 102 cm and snowfall rates exceeding 15 cm h−1. Dual-polarization radar measurements collected for this winter event provide valuable insights into storm microphysical processes. In this study, polarimetric data from the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) in Upton, New York (KOKX), are investigated alongside thermodynamic analyses from the 13-km Rapid Refresh model and surface precipitation type observations from both Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground (mPING) and the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Upton, New York, for interpretation of polarimetric signatures. The storm exhibited unique polarimetric signatures, some of which have never before been documented for a winter system. Reflectivity values were unusually large, reaching magnitudes >50 dBZ in shallow regions of heavy wet snow near the surface. The 0°C transition line was exceptionally distinct in the polarimetric imagery, providing detail that was often unmatched by the numerical model output. Other features include differential attenuation of magnitudes typical of melting hail, depolarization streaks that provide evidence of electrification, nonuniform beamfilling, a “snow flare” signature, and localized downward excursions of the melting-layer bright band collocated with observed transitions in surface precipitation types. In agreement with previous studies, widespread elevated depositional growth layers, located at temperatures near the model-predicted −15°C isotherm, appear to be correlated with increased snowfall and large reflectivity factors ZH near the surface.
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Defer, E., J. P. Pinty, S. Coquillat, J. M. Martin, S. Prieur, S. Soula, E. Richard, et al. "An overview of the lightning and atmospheric electricity observations collected in southern France during the HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment (HyMeX), Special Observation Period 1." Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 8, no. 2 (February 9, 2015): 649–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-649-2015.
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Abstract. The PEACH project (Projet en Electricité Atmosphérique pour la Campagne HyMeX – the Atmospheric Electricity Project of the HyMeX Program) is the atmospheric electricity component of the Hydrology cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment (HyMeX) experiment and is dedicated to the observation of both lightning activity and electrical state of continental and maritime thunderstorms in the area of the Mediterranean Sea. During the HyMeX SOP1 (Special Observation Period) from 5 September to 6 November 2012, four European operational lightning locating systems (ATDnet, EUCLID, LINET, ZEUS) and the HyMeX lightning mapping array network (HyLMA) were used to locate and characterize the lightning activity over the northwestern Mediterranean at flash, storm and regional scales. Additional research instruments like slow antennas, video cameras, microbarometer and microphone arrays were also operated. All these observations in conjunction with operational/research ground-based and airborne radars, rain gauges and in situ microphysical records are aimed at characterizing and understanding electrically active and highly precipitating events over southeastern France that often lead to severe flash floods. Simulations performed with cloud resolving models like Meso-NH and Weather Research and Forecasting are used to interpret the results and to investigate further the links between dynamics, microphysics, electrification and lightning occurrence. Herein we present an overview of the PEACH project and its different instruments. Examples are discussed to illustrate the comprehensive and unique lightning data set, from radio frequency to acoustics, collected during the SOP1 for lightning phenomenology understanding, instrumentation validation, storm characterization and modeling.
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Carey, Lawrence D., and Kurt M. Buffalo. "Environmental Control of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Polarity in Severe Storms." Monthly Weather Review 135, no. 4 (April 1, 2007): 1327–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr3361.1.
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Abstract In this study, it is hypothesized that the mesoscale environment can indirectly control the cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning polarity of severe storms by directly affecting their structural, dynamical, and microphysical properties, which in turn directly control cloud electrification and ground flash polarity. A more specific hypothesis, which has been supported by past observational and laboratory charging studies, suggests that broad, strong updrafts and associated large liquid water contents in severe storms lead to the generation of an inverted charge structure and enhanced +CG lightning production. The corollary is that environmental conditions favoring these kinematic and microphysical characteristics should support severe storms generating an anomalously high (>25%) percentage of +CG lightning (i.e., positive storms) while environmental conditions relatively less favorable should sustain storms characterized by a typical (≤25%) percentage of +CG lightning (i.e., negative storms). Forty-eight inflow proximity soundings were analyzed to characterize the environment of nine distinct mesoscale regions of severe storms (4 positive and 5 negative) on 6 days during May–June 2002 over the central United States. This analysis clearly demonstrated significant and systematic differences in the mesoscale environments of positive and negative storms, which were consistent with the stated hypothesis. When compared to negative storms, positive storms occurred in environments associated with a drier low to midtroposphere, higher cloud-base height, smaller warm cloud depth, stronger conditional instability, larger 0–3 km AGL wind shear, stronger 0–2 km AGL storm relative wind speed, and larger buoyancy in the mixed-phase zone, at a statistically significant level. Differences in the warm cloud depth of positive and negative storms were by far the most dramatic, suggesting an important role for this parameter in controlling CG lightning polarity. In this study, strong correlations between the mesoscale environment and CG lightning polarity were demonstrated. However, causality could not be verified due to a lack of in situ observations to confirm the hypothesized microphysical, dynamical, and electrical responses to variations in environmental conditions that ultimately determined the dominant CG polarity. Future observational field programs and cloud modeling studies should focus on these critical intermediary processes.
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Fierro, Alexandre O., and Jon M. Reisner. "High-Resolution Simulation of the Electrification and Lightning of Hurricane Rita during the Period of Rapid Intensification." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 68, no. 3 (March 1, 2011): 477–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2010jas3659.1.
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Abstract In this paper, a high-resolution simulation establishing relationships between lightning and eyewall convection during the rapid intensification phase of Rita will be highlighted. The simulation is an attempt to relate simulated lightning activity within strong convective events (CEs) found within the eyewall and general storm properties for a case from which high-fidelity lightning observations are available. Specifically, the analysis focuses on two electrically active eyewall CEs that had properties similar to events observed by the Los Alamos Sferic Array. The numerically simulated CEs were characterized by updraft speeds exceeding 10 m s−1, a relatively more frequent flash rate confined in a layer between 10 and 14 km, and a propagation speed that was about 10 m s−1 less than of the local azimuthal flow in the eyewall. Within an hour of the first CE, the simulated minimum surface pressure dropped by approximately 5 mb. Concurrent with the pulse of vertical motions was a large uptake in lightning activity. This modeled relationship between enhanced vertical motions, a noticeable pressure drop, and heightened lightning activity suggests the utility of using lightning to remotely diagnose future changes in intensity of some tropical cyclones. Furthermore, given that the model can relate lightning activity to latent heat release, this functional relationship, once validated against a derived field produced by dual-Doppler radar data, could be used in the future to initialize eyewall convection via the introduction of latent heat and/or water vapor into a hurricane model.
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Wiens, Kyle C., Steven A. Rutledge, and Sarah A. Tessendorf. "The 29 June 2000 Supercell Observed during STEPS. Part II: Lightning and Charge Structure." Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 62, no. 12 (December 1, 2005): 4151–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jas3615.1.
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Abstract This second part of a two-part study examines the lightning and charge structure evolution of the 29 June 2000 tornadic supercell observed during the Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS). Data from the National Lightning Detection Network and the New Mexico Tech Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) are used to quantify the total and cloud-to-ground (CG) flash rates. Additionally, the LMA data are used to infer gross charge structure and to determine the origin locations and charge regions involved in the CG flashes. The total flash rate reached nearly 300 min−1 and was well correlated with radar-inferred updraft and graupel echo volumes. Intracloud flashes accounted for 95%–100% of the total lightning activity during any given minute. Nearly 90% of the CG flashes delivered a positive charge to ground (+CGs). The charge structure during the first 20 min of this storm consisted of a midlevel negative charge overlying lower positive charge with no evidence of an upper positive charge. The charge structure in the later (severe) phase was more complex but maintained what could be roughly described as an inverted tripole, dominated by a deep midlevel (5–9 km MSL) region of positive charge. The storm produced only two CG flashes (both positive) in the first 2 h of lightning activity, both of which occurred during a brief surge in updraft and hail production. Frequent +CG flashes began nearly coincident with dramatic increases in storm updraft, hail production, total flash rate, and the formation of an F1 tornado. The +CG flashes tended to cluster in or just downwind of the heaviest precipitation, which usually contained hail. The +CG flashes all originated between 5 and 9 km MSL, centered at 6.8 km (−10°C), and tapped LMA-inferred positive charge both in the precipitation core and (more often) in weaker reflectivity extending downwind. All but one of the −CG flashes originated from >9 km MSL and tended to strike near the precipitation core.
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Nisbet, John S., John R. Kasha, and Gregory S. Forbes. "A case study of the Thunderstorm Research International Project storm of July 11, 1978 2. Interrelations among the observable parameters controlling electrification." Journal of Geophysical Research 95, no. D5 (1990): 5435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/jd095id05p05435.
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Fierro, Alexandre O., Stephanie N. Stevenson, and Robert M. Rabin. "Evolution of GLM-Observed Total Lightning in Hurricane Maria (2017) during the Period of Maximum Intensity." Monthly Weather Review 146, no. 6 (June 2018): 1641–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-18-0066.1.
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Total lightning data obtained from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) were analyzed to present a first glimpse of relationships with intensity variations and convective evolution in Hurricane Maria (2017). The GLM has made it possible, for the first time, to analyze total lightning within a major hurricane for a long period, far from ground-based detection networks. It is hoped that these observations could enlighten some of the complex relationships existing between intensity fluctuations and the distribution of electrified convection in these systems. Prior to rapidly intensifying from a category 1 to category 5 storm, Maria produced few inner-core flashes. Increases in total lightning in the inner core ( r ≤ 100 km) occurred during both the beginning and end of an intensification cycle, while lightning increases in the outer region (100 < r ≤ 500 km) occurred earlier in the intensification cycle and during weakening. Throughout the analysis period, the largest lightning rates in the outer region were consistently located in the southeastern quadrant, a pattern consistent with modeling studies of electrification within hurricanes. Lightning in the inner core was generally tightly clustered within a 50-km radius from the center and most often found in the southeastern portion of the eyewall, which is atypical. Bootstrapped correlation statistics revealed that the most robust and systematic relationship with storm intensity was obtained for inner-core lightning and maximum surface wind speed. A brief comparison between flash rates from GLM and a very low-frequency ground-based network revealed that not all lightning peaks are seen equally, with hourly flash-rate ratios between both systems sometimes exceeding two orders of magnitude.