Automated Lightning Flash Detection in Nighttime Visible Satellite Data

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Bankert ◽  
Jeremy E. Solbrig ◽  
Thomas F. Lee ◽  
Steven D. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Satellite System ◽  
Lightning Strike ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Infrared Imager ◽  
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Mapping Array ◽  
Automated Technique ◽  
Spectral Channels

Abstract The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) nighttime visible channel was designed to detect earth–atmosphere features under conditions of low illumination (e.g., near the solar terminator or via moonlight reflection). However, this sensor also detects visible light emissions from various terrestrial sources (both natural and anthropogenic), including lightning-illuminated thunderstorm tops. This research presents an automated technique for objectively identifying and enhancing the bright steaks associated with lightning flashes, even in the presence of lunar illumination, derived from OLS imagery. A line-directional filter is applied to the data in order to identify lightning strike features and an associated false color imagery product enhances this information while minimizing false alarms. Comparisons of this satellite product to U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) data in one case as well as to a lightning mapping array (LMA) in another case demonstrate general consistency to within the expected limits of detection. This algorithm is potentially useful in either finding or confirming electrically active storms anywhere on the globe, particularly those occurring in remote areas where surface-based observations are not available. Additionally, the OLS nighttime visible sensor provides heritage data for examining the potential usefulness of the Visible-Infrared Imager-Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) on future satellites including the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP). The VIIRS DNB will offer several improvements to the legacy OLS nighttime visible channel, including full calibration and collocation with 21 narrowband spectral channels.

scholarly journals NASA MODIS Previews NPOESS VIIRS Capabilities

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Lee ◽  
Steven D. Miller ◽  
Carl Schueler ◽  
Shawn Miller
Keyword(s):  
Satellite System ◽  
Infrared Imager ◽  
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Color Simulation ◽  
True Color ◽  
Real Time Simulations

Abstract The Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), scheduled to fly on the satellites of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, will combine the missions of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), which flies on current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites, and the Operational Linescan System aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites. VIIRS will offer a number of improvements to weather forecasters. First, because of a sophisticated downlink and relay system, VIIRS latencies will be 30 min or less around the globe, improving the timeliness and therefore the operational usefulness of the images. Second, with 22 channels, VIIRS will offer many more products than its predecessors. As an example, a true-color simulation is shown using data from the Earth Observing System’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), an application current geostationary imagers cannot produce because of a missing “green” wavelength channel. Third, VIIRS images will have improved quality. Through a unique pixel aggregation strategy, VIIRS pixels will not expand rapidly toward the edge of a scan like those of MODIS or AVHRR. Data will retain nearly the same resolution at the edge of the swath as at nadir. Graphs and image simulations depict the improvement in output image quality. Last, the NexSat Web site, which provides near-real-time simulations of VIIRS products, is introduced.

Optimizing the Lightning Warning Radii at Spaceport Florida

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 523-536
Author(s):  
Dawn L. Sanderson ◽  
Edward D. White ◽  
Andrew J. Geyer ◽  
William P. Roeder ◽  
Alex J. Gutman
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Kennedy Space Center ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Air Force Base ◽  
Kennedy Space ◽  
Best Fit

Abstract Air Force Manual 91–203 (AFMAN 91–203) directs that a lightning warning be issued when lightning is occurring within a 5 nautical mile (n mi; 1 n mi = 1.852 km) radius of a predetermined location. The 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS), located on the central eastern coast of Florida, provides weather support to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, NASA Kennedy Space Center, and Patrick Air Force Base. The primary objective of this study is to optimize the lightning warning safety buffer; in particular, to determine if the 5 n mi safety radius can be reduced while maintaining a desired level of safety. The research uses processed Lightning Detection and Ranging II (LDAR-II) data from 2013 to 2016 to map the movement of preexisting lightning storms using ellipses. These ellipses are updated with every lightning flash. The distance from the ellipse boundary of each flash occurring outside the ellipse is recorded. Those exterior flash distances are then used to find the best-fit distribution from which the stand-off distance for the desired level of safety can be calculated. The distances from the edge of the ellipse are fit to a Weibull distribution and a reduction in the radius by 1 to 4 or 5 n mi is selected as the optimized balance between safety and operational impact. The 4 or 5 n mi radii are tested with a resulting failure rate of 3.58%, with an average savings of 130.75 false alarms and 15.7 8-h man days a year for the months of May–September.

scholarly journals Lightning in the Anvils of Supercell Thunderstorms

2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (7) ◽  
pp. 2064-2079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Weiss ◽  
Donald R. MacGorman ◽  
Kristin M. Calhoun
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
Opposite Polarity ◽  
Layer Charge ◽  
Supercell Storm ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Supercell Storms ◽  
Mapping Array ◽  
Storm Dynamics ◽  
Supercell Thunderstorms

Abstract This study uses data from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (OK-LMA), the National Lightning Detection Network, and the Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), prototype Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) radar to examine the evolution and structure of lightning in the anvils of supercell storms as they relate to storm dynamics and microphysics. Several supercell storms within the domain of the OK-LMA were examined to determine whether they had lightning in the anvil region, and if so, the time and location of the initiation of the anvil flashes were determined. Every warm-season supercell storm had some flashes that were initiated in or near the stronger reflectivities of the parent storm and propagated 40–70 km downstream to penetrate well into the anvil. Some supercell storms also had flashes that were initiated within the anvil itself, 40–100 km beyond the closest 30-dBZ contour of the storm. These flashes were typically initiated in one of three locations: 1) coincident with a local reflectivity maximum, 2) between the uppermost storm charge and a screening-layer charge of opposite polarity near the cloud boundary, or 3) in a region in which the anvils from two adjoining storms intersected. In some storms, anvil flashes struck ground beneath a reflectivity maximum in which reflectivity ≥20 dBZ had extended below the 0°C isotherm, possibly leading to the formation of embedded convection. This relationship may be useful for identifying regions in which there is a heightened risk for cloud-to-ground strikes beneath anvil clouds. In one storm, however, anvil lightning struck ground even though this reflectivity signature was absent.

Global registration by optical radiation of lightning discharges on aboard a low-orbit spacecraft

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.S. Chudnovsky ◽  
L.S. Chudnovsky ◽  
Yu.P. Vagin ◽  
A.N. Pleshanov ◽  
K.E. Tyupikov
Keyword(s):  
Wavelength Range ◽  
Optical Radiation ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Information Flows ◽  
Range Finding ◽  
Global Registration ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Lightning Discharges ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Finding Method

Registration of the coordinates of lightning by their optical radiation has already been implemented on geostationary spacecraft in the wavelength range of 777.4 nm. However, the algorithms for processing the registered signals, as well as the volumes of information flows, have not yet been sufficiently studied. The choice of the sensor for the global registration of optical radiation of lightning on board a low-orbit spacecraft is substantiated. The prospects of using photodiodes in the difference-ranging method for determining coordinates are shown.The characteristics of lightning detection using matrices and LEDs have been studied. The prospects of using photodiodes in the differential-range-finding method for determining coordinates are shown. It is shown that the registration of optical lightning radiation on board the spacecraft by photodiodes provides the characteristics of detection and false alarms of a higher quality compared with the use of CCD matrices.

scholarly journals Effect of indirect lightning strike to 66kV transmission line in Java-Bali system

2018 ◽  
Vol 197 ◽  
pp. 11001
Author(s):  
Aristo Adi Kusuma ◽  
Putu Agus Aditya Pramana ◽  
Brian Bramantyo S.D.A. Harsono ◽  
Buyung Sofiarto Munir
Keyword(s):  
Transmission Line ◽  
Transmission Lines ◽  
Lightning Strike ◽  
Actual Condition ◽  
Peak Current ◽  
Lightning Strikes ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Current Magnitude ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Insulator Flashover

Based on Java-Bali grid disturbance data, the 66kV transmission lines that is close to or intersect with 150kV or 500kV transmission line is often experienced earth fault due to insulator flashover. The insulator flashover can be caused by indirect lightning strike since lightning strikes tend to strike higher structure. Therefore, this paper will determine the effect of indirect lightning strike on 150kV or 500kV transmission line to 66kV transmission line by modeling and simulation using application of transient analysis. Variation of lightning peak current magnitude and gap between 66kV transmission line and transmission line with higher voltage is performed during simulation. The range of peak current magnitude follows the data from lightning detection systems, while the value of gap follows the data from actual condition. It is found that higher current peak and closer gap will cause higher transient overvoltage on insulator of 66kV transmission line thus insulator flashover may occur more frequent. Addition of earth wire on 66kV transmission line and gap between each transmission by organizing the sag of conductor can be performed to minimize the insulator flashover.

INVESTIGATION OF RADAR AND ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THUNDERCLOUDS SEEDED WITH A GLACIOGENIC REAGENT IN KARNATAKA, INDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 112-122
Author(s):  
A.A. SIN'KEVICH ◽  
◽  
B. BOE ◽  
S. PAWAR ◽  
YU. P. MIKHAILOVSKII ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Network Data ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Electrical Characteristics ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Flash Rate ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
The North ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Karnataka State ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Characteristics of developing convective clouds (Cu) in Karnataka state (India) during the thunderstorm formation are analyzed using weather radar and lightning detection network data. It is noted that radar characteristics of Cu which produced lightning, exceed those where lightning does not form. The study has shown that the number of negative cloud-to-ground strokes exceeds the number of positive ones by an order of magnitude. The radar characteristics of clouds in India and the North Caucasus are compared. Significant differences in lightning flash rates over the mentioned regions are registered. A low correlation is found between the supercooled volume and the flash rate of negative lightning. The paper also presents the results of studying the dynamic characteristics of four Cu seeded with a glaciogenic reagent. The thunderstorm risk is estimated for the clouds. It is shown that the seeding increases a probability of lightning events.

An Electrical and Polarimetric Analysis of the Overland Reintensification of Tropical Storm Erin (2007)

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
pp. 2321-2344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica M. Griffin ◽  
Terry J. Schuur ◽  
Donald R. MacGorman ◽  
Matthew R. Kumjian ◽  
Alexandre O. Fierro
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Tropical Storm ◽  
Sea Level Pressure ◽  
Core Convection ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Mapping Array ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Abundant Data

Abstract While passing over central Oklahoma on 18–19 August 2007, the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin unexpectedly reintensified and developed an eyelike feature that was clearly discernable in Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) imagery. During this brief reintensification period, Erin traversed a region of dense surface and remote sensing observation networks that provided abundant data of high spatial and temporal resolution. This study analyzes data from the polarimetric KOUN S-band radar, total lightning data from the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array, and ground-flash lightning data from the National Lightning Detection Network. Erin’s reintensification was atypical since it occurred well inland and was accompanied by stronger maximum sustained winds and gusts (25 and 37 m s−1, respectively) and lower minimum sea level pressure (1001.3 hPa) than while over water. Radar observations reveal several similarities to those documented in mature tropical cyclones over open water, including outward-sloping eyewall convection, near 0-dBZ reflectivities within the eye, and relatively large updraft velocities in the eyewall as inferred from single-Doppler winds and ZDR columns. Deep, electrified convection near the center of circulation preceded the formation of Erin’s eye, with maximum lightning activity occurring prior to and during reintensification. The results show that inner-core convection may have played a role in the reinvigoration of the storm.

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