The Relationship Between Total Cloud Lightning Behavior and Radar Derived Thunderstorm Structure
Abstract
Total cloud lightning detection systems have been in development since the mid-1980s and have been deployed in several areas around the world. Previous studies on total cloud lightning have found intra and inter-cloud lightning (IC) tend to fluctuate significantly during the lifetime of thunderstorms. Prior studies have primarily focused on the electrical characteristics of thunderstorms, thunderstorm development and life cycle theory, but they do not provide much help to the operational meteorological community as they fail to link lightning characteristics to currently used radar interrogation techniques. Studies have indicated lightning jumps tend to be closely linked to changes in the vertical integrated liquid (VIL) reading on the National Weather Service's Weather Surveillance Radar-1998 Doppler (WSR-88D) systems and lightning holes tend to be associated with a bounded weak echo region (BWER) on the WSR-88D. More recent studies have attempted to mathematically classify a lightning jump but are still years away. This study builds off previous results and takes a more aggressive look at total cloud lightning and its relationship to the WSR-88D derived signatures currently used to determine a thunderstorms severity. Lightning and thunderstorm data from the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas and the Tucson, Arizona areas from 2006-2009, was used to relate lightning to other thunderstorm parameters. A relationship between total cloud lightning behavior and currently used radar interrogation techniques was found indicating lightning jumps can be classified into three different types. Two types show preponderance for a specific type of severe weather event and lightning behavior while the third show no preference. These findings are of significant interest to the operational meteorological community and in some case can be put to immediate use.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA518656
Entities
People
- Eric L. Metzger
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School