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Total Lightning Activity Associated with Tornadic StormsSevere storms often have high flash rates (in excess of one flash per second) and are dominated by intracloud lightning activity. In addition to the extraordinary flash rates, there is a second distinguishing lightning characteristic of severe storms that seems to be important. When the total lightning history is examined, one finds sudden increases in the lightning rate, which we refer to as lightning "jumps," that precede the occurrence of severe weather by ten or more minutes. These jumps are typically 30-60 flashes/min, and are easily identified as anomalously large derivatives in the flash rate. This relationship is associated with updraft intensification and updraft strength is an important factor in storm severity (through the accumulation of condensate aloft and the stretching of vorticity). In several cases, evidence for diminishment of midlevel rotation and the descent of angular momentum from aloft is present prior to the appearance of the surface tornado. Based on our experience with severe and tornadic storms in Central Florida, we believe the total lightning may augment the more traditional use of NEXRAD radars and storm spotters. However, a more rigorous relation of these jumps to storm kinematics is needed if we are to apply total lightning in a decision tree that leads to improved warning lead times and decreased false alarm rates.
Document ID
19990108710
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Goodman, Steven J.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Buechler, Dennis
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL United States)
Hodanish, Stephen
(National Weather Service Melbourne, FL United States)
Sharp, David
(National Weather Service Melbourne, FL United States)
Williams, Earle
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Lexington, MA United States)
Boldi, Bob
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Lexington, MA United States)
Matlin, Anne
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Lexington, MA United States)
Weber, Mark
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Lexington, MA United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: 11th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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