NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Comparison of lightning location data and polarisation radar observations of cloudsSimultaneous observations of both the precipitation and the lightning associated with thunderstorms show that the lightning is within 3 km of the maximum precipitation echo. The intensity and type of the precipitation is observed with 500 m spatial accuracy using an S-band polarization radar and the position of the lightning is inferred from a low frequency magnetic direction finding location system. Empirical adjustment to the angles using the redundancy of the lightning data reduce this error. Radar echoes above 45dBZ may be caused by soft hail or hailstones, but similarly intense echoes may result from melting snow. The data show that a new polarization radar parameter, the linear depolarization ratio, can distinguish between soft hail and melting snow, and that the intense radar echoes associated with melting snow pose no threat of lightning. A lightning risk only exists when the radar indicates that the clouds contain soft hail or hailstones.
Document ID
19910023396
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Illingworth, A. J.
(Manchester Coll. of Science and Technology (England). Capenhurst, United Kingdom)
Lees, M. I.
(Electricity Council Research Centre)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Kennedy Space Center, The 1991 International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity, Volume 2
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
91N32710
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: USAF-SPC-90-4005
CONTRACT_GRANT: NERC-GR3/5896
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available