The Relationship Between Cloud-to-Ground Lightning and Precipitations Ice Mass: A Radar study over Houston
Abstract
Using seven summer-seasons (1997-2003, over 46,000 volumes) of NEXRAD data, coincident climatologies of summer-season ground flash densities and radar derived, column integrated, precipitation ice mass (IM) were developed, extending global studies of IM and lightning to more regional and cell scales around Houston, TX. Results indicate that local maximums in cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning were indeed accompanied by peaks in IM. Extending previous global findings to cell-scales, we establish a link between a storms ability to generate enhanced concentrations of mixed-phase IM, and its ability to generate lightning. Relative to the documented CG lightning "anomaly" over Houston, these results imply that unique aspects of the Houston urban area must first generate an anomaly in convective intensity and precipitation ice, thereby generating an anomaly in lightning; causal hypotheses must be capable of explaining either increased frequency and/or intensity of convection, and then relating these to the enhancement of IM and lightning production.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450093
Entities
People
- Hugh J. Christian Jr.
- Lawrence D. Carey
- Michael L. Gauthier
- Walter A. Petersen
Organizations
- University of Alabama in Huntsville