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Doppler radar signatures of developing thunderstorms and their potential to indicate the onset of cloud-to-ground lightningThe capability of Doppler weather radars to short-term forecast the initiation of thunderstorms and the onset of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is examined. Doppler weather radar data from 28 thunderstorms were analyzed from August 1990 in the central Florida environment. These radar echoes were associated with CG lightning strike locations from the National Lightning Detection Network and two lightning detection systems operated by the U.S. Air Force in the vicinity of Kennedy Space Center. From a time history of these radar echoes it was found that a 10-dBZ echo, first detected near the freezing level, may be the first definitive echo of a future thunderstorm. This thunderstorm initiation signature is often accompanied by low-altitude convergence and divergence at the top of the radar echo. The observed lead times between this thunderstorm initiation signature and the first detected CG lightning strike ranged from 5 to 45 min with a median lead time of 15 min. All lightning-producing radar echoes were detected using the thunderstorm initiation signature; however, some echoes exceeded the 10-dBZ threshold and did not produce andy CG lightning. The charecteristics of the WSR-88D and Terminal Doppler Weather Radar systems are evaluated for their capability to detect the thunderstorm initiation signature in central Florida with sufficient temporal and spatial resolution.
Document ID
19950038723
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hondl, Kurt D.
(National Severe Storms Lab. Norman, OK, United States)
Eilts, Michael D.
(National Severe Storms Lab. Norman, OK, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Monthly Weather Review
Volume: 122
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0027-0644
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
95A70322
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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