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Lightning Behavior and its Dependence on Storm Kinematic and Precipitation Processes in Northern AlabamaNumerous case studies and recent modeling studies have found that various metrics of updraft intensity appear to be reasonably well correlated to lightning production in thunderstorms, particularly severe thunderstorms. Indeed, the relationship between updraft and lightning flash rate is hypothesized to be the physical connection between a lightning "jump" signature and manifestations of severe weather such as tornadic activity. This study further examines this connection using a combination of dual Doppler wind retrievals made with the UAH ARMOR dual polarimetric and KHTX WSR 88D Doppler radar pair, together with northern Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) data. The dual Doppler data were used to construct three dimensional wind fields and the retrieved vertical velocity fields were subsequently compared to collocated total lightning flash rates observed by the LMA. Particular attention was paid to the timing of updraft pulses relative to changes in the flash rate, with the goal of assessing impacts on warning decision lead time. Results from the analysis of severe and non severe thunderstorms in Northern Alabama will be presented including the EF 4 tornado producing supercell on 6 February 2008.
Document ID
20090017837
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Johnson, Elsie V.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Petersen, W. A,
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 11, 2009
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
MSFC-2189
Meeting Information
Meeting: 89th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: January 11, 2009
End Date: January 15, 2009
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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