Role of Intracloud Lightning in Tornadogenesis
Abstract
The role of cloud electrification within supercells and, in particular, the role of lightning in tornadogenesis is re-examined. Rather than cloud-to-ground lightning, it is intracloud lightning that is the culprit for enhancing updraft wind velocities to tornadic levels. The lightning produces within the intracloud chamber both: (1) newly generated hydrogen ions, of negligible cross-section, that stream downwards to recombine with the main resident lower cloud hydroxyl ion concentration, thereby liberating significant ionic recombination and condensation energy to produce significant temperature rise; and, (2) counterpart hydroxyl ions that sweep upward to push all in their way so as to reach the topmost cloud structure for recombination with the resident hydrogen ion concentration. To effect the significant updraft enhancement required for tornado initiation, repeated lightning strikes are required within an individual vortex "core"; and, this restriction relates to the relatively rare occurrence of tornadoes as generally minor dissipative sources of supercell energies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA430937
Entities
People
- Ronald W. Armstrong