An Analysis of Total Lightning Flash Rates Over Florida

Abstract An algorithm that provides an early indication of impending severe weather from observed trends in thunderstorm total lightning flash rates has been developed. The algorithm framework has been tested on 20 thunderstorms, including 1 nonsevere storm, which occurred over the course of six separate days during the spring months of 2002 and 2003. The identified surges in lightning rate (or jumps) are compared against 110 documented severe weather events produced by these thunderstorms as they moved across portions of northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. Lightning jumps precede 90% of these severe weather events, with as much as a 27-min advance notification of impending severe weather on the ground. However, 37% of lightning jumps are not followed by severe weather reports. Various configurations of the algorithm are tested, and the highest critical success index attained is 0.49. Results suggest that this lightning jump algorithm may be a useful operational diagnostic tool for severe thunderstorm potential.

Download Full-text

Spatiotemporal Variability of Lightning Flash Distribution over Sri Lanka

International Letters of Chemistry Physics and Astronomy ◽

10.18052/www.scipress.com/ilcpa.82.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

U.G.Dilaj Maduranga ◽

Mahesh Edirisinghe ◽

L. Vimukthi Gamage

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽

Spatiotemporal Variability ◽

Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Northeast Monsoon ◽

Time Period ◽

Total Lightning ◽

Imaging Sensor

The variation of the lightning activities over Sri Lanka and surrounded costal belt (5.750N-10.000N and 79.50E-89.000E) is studied using lightning flash data of Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) which was launched in November 1997 for NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The LIS data for the period of 1998 to 2014 are considered for this study. The spatial and temporal variation of lightning activities is investigated and respective results are presented. The diurnal variation over the studied area presents that maximum and minimum flash count recorded at 1530-1630 Local Time (10-11UTC) and 0530-0630LT (00-01UTC) respectively. Maximum lightning activities over the observed area have occurred after the 1330LT (08UTC) in every year during the considered time period. The seasonal variation of the lightning activities shows that the maximum lightning activities happened in First inter monsoon season (March to April) with 30.90% total lightning flashes and minimum lightning activities recorded in Northeast monsoon season (December to February) with 8.51% of total lightning flashes. Maximum flash density of 14.37fl km-2year-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.160E in First inter monsoon season. These seasonal lighting activities are agree with seasonal convective activities and temperature variation base on propagation of Intra-Tropical Convection Zone over the studied particular area. Mean monthly flash count presents a maximum in the month of April with 29.12% of lightning flashes. Variation pattern of number of lightning activities in month of April shows a tiny increment during the time period of 1998 to 2014. Maximum annual flash density of 28.09fl km-2yr-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.170E. The latitudinal variation of the lightning flash density is depicted that extreme lightning activities have happened at the southern part of the county and results show that there is a noticeable lack of lightning activities over the surrounded costal belt relatively landmass.

Download Full-text

Relationships between Deep Convection Updraft Characteristics and Satellite-Based Super Rapid Scan Mesoscale Atmospheric Motion Vector–Derived Flow

Monthly Weather Review ◽

10.1175/mwr-d-18-0119.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 146 (10) ◽

pp. 3461-3480 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jason M. Apke ◽

John R. Mecikalski ◽

Kristopher Bedka ◽

Eugene W. McCaul ◽

Cameron R. Homeyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Doppler Radar ◽

Deep Convection ◽

Motion Vector ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Radar Data ◽

Severe Weather ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Rapid Scan ◽

Total Lightning ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Rapid acceleration of cloud-top outflow near vigorous storm updrafts can be readily observed in Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-14 (GOES-14) super rapid scan (SRS; 60 s) mode data. Conventional wisdom implies that this outflow is related to the intensity of updrafts and the formation of severe weather. However, from an SRS satellite perspective, the pairing of observed expansion and updraft intensity has not been objectively derived and documented. The goal of this study is to relate GOES-14 SRS-derived cloud-top horizontal divergence (CTD) over deep convection to internal updraft characteristics, and document evolution for severe and nonsevere thunderstorms. A new SRS flow derivation system is presented here to estimate storm-scale (<20 km) CTD. This CTD field is coupled with other proxies for storm updraft location and intensity such as overshooting tops (OTs), total lightning flash rates, and three-dimensional flow fields derived from dual-Doppler radar data. Objectively identified OTs with (without) matching CTD maxima were more (less) likely to be associated with radar-observed deep convection and severe weather reports at the ground, suggesting that some OTs were incorrectly identified. The correlation between CTD magnitude, maximum updraft speed, and total lightning was strongly positive for a nonsupercell pulse storm, and weakly positive for a supercell with multiple updraft pulses present. The relationship for the supercell was nonlinear, though larger flash rates are found during periods of larger CTD. Analysis here suggests that combining CTD with OTs and total lightning could have severe weather nowcasting value.

Download Full-text

Total Lightning Flash Activity Response to Aerosol over China Area

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos8020026 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 26 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Pengguo Zhao ◽

Yunjun Zhou ◽

Hui Xiao ◽

Jia Liu ◽

Jinhui Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lightning Flash ◽

Activity Response ◽

Total Lightning

Download Full-text

A Lightning Parameterization for the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System

Monthly Weather Review ◽

10.1175/mwr-d-16-0026.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 144 (9) ◽

pp. 3057-3075 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Philippe Lopez

Keyword(s):

Atmospheric Chemistry ◽

Convective Available Potential Energy ◽

Horizontal Resolution ◽

Cloud Base ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Severe Convection ◽

Forecasting System ◽

Total Lightning ◽

Optical Transient ◽

Cloud Base Height

A new parameterization able to diagnose lightning flash densities is proposed for the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System, including its tangent-linear and adjoint versions. Total lightning densities are expressed as a function of hydrometeors contents, convective available potential energy, and cloud-base height output by the convective parameterization. Potential future applications range from the computation of NOx emissions by lightning in atmospheric chemistry models, severe convection forecasting, and data assimilation. In this study, a decade-long experiment is used to calibrate the simulated global annual mean flash density against the LIS/Optical Transient Detector (OTD) climatological value. On the seasonal and continental scales, the new parameterization is shown to agree well with the LIS/OTD observations. In forecast mode, output lightning densities are found to be almost independent of the horizontal resolution used in the model. Decade-long experiments also show that the new parameterization gives better results overall than the main existing lightning parameterizations designed for global models. Sensitivity experiments using its adjoint version are also performed to assess its potential for the future assimilation of lightning observations in the ECMWF 4D-Var system.

Download Full-text

The Relationship between Total Cloud Lightning Behavior and Radar-Derived Thunderstorm Structure

Weather and Forecasting ◽

10.1175/waf-d-11-00157.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 237-253 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Eric Metzger ◽

Wendell A. Nuss

Keyword(s):

Weather Type ◽

Severe Weather ◽

Characteristic Change ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Fort Worth ◽

Detection Systems ◽

Lightning Detection ◽

Rapid Changes ◽

Total Lightning ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Total lightning detection systems have been in development since the mid-1980s and deployed in several areas around the world. Previous studies on total lightning found intra- and intercloud lightning (IC) activity tends to fluctuate significantly during the lifetime of thunderstorms and have indicated that lightning jumps or rapid changes in lightning flash rates are closely linked to changes in the vertical integrated liquid (VIL) reading on the National Weather Service’s Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) systems. This study examines the total lightning and its relationship to WSR-88D signatures used operationally to determine thunderstorm severity to highlight the potential benefit of a combined forecast approach. Lightning and thunderstorm data from the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona, areas from 2006 to 2009, were used to relate total lightning behavior and radar interrogation techniques. The results indicate that lightning jumps can be classified into severe wind, hail, or mixed-type jumps based on the behavior of various radar-based parameters. In 25 of 34 hail-type jumps and in 18 of 20 wind-type jumps, a characteristic change in cloud-to-ground (CG) versus IC lightning flash rates occurred prior to the report of severe weather. For hail-type jumps, IC flash rates increased, while CG flash rates were steady or decreased. For wind-type jumps, CG flash rates increased, while IC flash rates either increased (12 of 18) or were steady or decreased (6 of 18). Although not every lightning jump resulted in a severe weather report, the characteristic behavior in flash rates adds information to radar-based approaches for nowcasting the severe weather type.

Download Full-text

New Lightning Detection Networks in Poland – LINET and LLDN

The Open Atmospheric Science Journal ◽

10.2174/1874282300903010029 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 29-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Marek Loboda ◽

Hans D. Betz ◽

Piotr Baranski ◽

Jan Wiszniowski ◽

Zdzislaw Dziewit

Keyword(s):

Detection System ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Time Operation ◽

Lightning Detection ◽

Time Signals ◽

Real Time Operation ◽

Basic Characteristics ◽

Total Lightning ◽

The Cost

Lightning detection in Poland is performed by means of a PERUN (Safir 3000) system operated by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. Poland is also partly covered by a VLF/LF lightning detection system (CLDN, Central Lightning Detection Network). Both sources of lightning data have their limitations resulting from detection technique, limited number of sensors and geographical configuration, with the consequence of shortcomings in the data quality. For this reason, a new network has been installed in Poland and started continuous real-time operation in May 2006. It is LINET that covers entire Poland and is complemented by numerous sensors positioned in surrounding countries. In 2007 additional LINET sensors have been installed in Poland in order to allow exploitation of reduced baselines for efficient achievement of total lightning. In the frame of the COST P18 Action “Physics of Lightning Flash and Its Effects” another new Polish project started in 2006 related to regional lightning location. At present, the Local Lightning Detection Network (LLDN) undergoes installation in the region of Warsaw. LLDN will consist of six individual stations equipped with E-field antennae and digital recorders synchronized with GPS time signals. The aim of LLDN installation is complement other networks covering region of Warsaw (PERUN, LINET) and to provide an additional source of lightning CG data with high sensitivity in a relatively small area. In the paper are described general characteristics of LINET in Poland, as well as basic characteristics and assumed performance of LLDN, which will start operation in 2008.

Download Full-text

Thermodynamic Contribution to Lightning Activity in the Fourth Chimney

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-13955 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Earle Williams ◽

Diego Enore ◽

Enrique Mattos ◽

Yen-Jung Joanne Wu

Keyword(s):

Convective Available Potential Energy ◽

Lightning Activity ◽

South Pacific Convergence Zone ◽

Convergence Zone ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Schumann Resonance ◽

Flash Rate ◽

Zonal Wavenumber ◽

Usual Behavior ◽

Total Lightning

<p>Lightning activity over oceans is normally greatly suppressed in comparison with continents.&#160; The most conspicuous region of enhanced lightning activity over open ocean is found in the equatorial Pacific (150 W) in many global lightning climatologies (OTD, LIS, WWLLN, GLD360, RHESSI, Schumann resonance Q-bursts) and is associated with the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ).&#160; This oceanic lightning anomaly completes the zonal wavenumber-4 structure of continent-based lightning maxima (with nominal 90-degree longitudinal separation between sources), and so is appropriately named &#8220;the fourth chimney&#8221;.&#160; This region is now under continuous surveillance by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on the GOES-17 satellite (at 137 W).&#160; This total lightning activity is compared with Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) from ERA-5 reanalysis.&#160; These CAPE values are correlated with values extracted from thermodynamic soundings at proximal stations Atuona, Rikitea and Tahiti. &#160;The shape of the regional climatology of CAPE resembles that of the SPCZ and is oblique to the equator.&#160; The total lightning flash rate is positively correlated with CAPE, and lightning locations are found preferentially in regions of elevated CAPE on individual days.&#160; The diurnal variation of total lightning for January exceeds a factor-of-two and shows a phase at odds with the usual behavior of oceanic lightning near continents.</p>

Download Full-text

Transistorised total-lightning-flash counter

Electronics Letters ◽

10.1049/el:19670172 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. 225

Author(s):

R.A. Barham

Keyword(s):

Lightning Flash ◽

Total Lightning

Download Full-text

Sensitivities of the WRF Lightning Forecasting Algorithm to Parameterized Microphysics and Boundary Layer Schemes

Weather and Forecasting ◽

10.1175/waf-d-19-0101.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 1545-1560 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eugene W. McCaul ◽

Georgios Priftis ◽

Jonathan L. Case ◽

Themis Chronis ◽

Patrick N. Gatlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Boundary Layer ◽

Numerical Models ◽

The United States ◽

Lightning Flash ◽

Flash Rate ◽

Output Variability ◽

Empirical Procedure ◽

Forecast Models ◽

Total Lightning ◽

Insight Into

AbstractThe Lightning Forecasting Algorithm (LFA), a simple empirical procedure that transforms kinematic and microphysical fields from explicit-convection numerical models into mapped fields of estimated total lightning flash origin density, has been incorporated into operational forecast models in recent years. While several changes designed to improve LFA accuracy and reliability have been implemented, the basic linear relationship between model proxy amplitudes and diagnosed total lightning flash rate densities remains unchanged. The LFA has also been added to many models configured with microphysics and boundary layer parameterizations different from those used in the original study, suggesting the need for checks of the LFA calibration factors. To assist users, quantitative comparisons of LFA output for some commonly used model physics choices are performed. Results are reported here from a 12-member ensemble that combines four microphysics with three boundary layer schemes, to provide insight into the extent of LFA output variability. Data from spring 2018 in Nepal–Bangladesh–India show that across the ensemble of forecasts in the entire three-month period, the LFA peak flash rate densities all fell within a factor of 1.21 of well-calibrated LFA-equipped codes, with most schemes failing to show differences that are statistically significant. Sensitivities of threat areal coverage are, however, larger, suggesting substantial variation in the amounts of ice species produced in storm anvils by the various microphysics schemes. Current explicit-convection operational models in the United States employ schemes that are among those exhibiting the larger biases. For users seeking optimum performance, we present recommended methods for recalibrating the LFA.

Download Full-text