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Electric Field and Lightning Observations in the Core of Category 5 Hurricane EmilySignificant electric fields and lightning activity associated with Hurricane Emily were observed from a NASA high-altitude ER-2 aircraft on July 17, 2005 while this storm developed as a compact but intense category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean south of Cuba. The electrical measurements were acquired as part of the NASA sponsored Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes (TCSP) experiment. In addition to the electrical measurements, the aircraft's remote sensing instrument complement also included active radars, passive microwave, visible and infrared radiometers, and a temperature sounder providing details on the dynamical, microphysical, and environmental structure, characteristics and development of this intense storm. Cloud-to-ground lightning location data from Vaisala's long range lightning detection network were also acquired and displayed in real-time along with electric fields measured at the aircraft. These data and associated display also supported aircraft guidance and vectoring during the mission. During the observing period, flash rates in excess of 3 to 5 flashes per minute, as well as large electric field and field change values were observed as the storm appeared to undergo periods of intensification, especially in the northwest quadrant in the core eyewall regions. This is in contrast to most hurricanes that tend to be characterized by weak electrification and little or no lightning activity except in the outer rain bands. It should be noted that this storm also had significant lightning associated with its rain bands.
Document ID
20070037459
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Blakeslee, Richard
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mach, Doug M.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Bateman, Monte G.
(Universities Space Research Association Huntsville, AL, United States)
Bailey, Jeff C.
(Raytheon Information Technology and Scientific Services Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
August 13, 2007
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conferences on Atmospheric Electricity (ICAE)/International Commission on Atmospheric Electricity
Location: Beijing
Country: China
Start Date: August 13, 2007
End Date: August 17, 2007
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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