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Detecting Anthropogenic Impacts on Lightning: Is There an Obvious Signal?Bell et al. inferred the presence of increased (decreased) summer rainfall and storm heights over the southern tier (off the east coast) of the continental U.S. (CONUS) during the midweek. Amongst other data sources, the Bell et al. study employed Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) passive microwave and precipitation radar data to reach these conclusions. Importantly, to explain the midweek increases in rainfall and storm echo top heights Bell et al. invoked the presence of anthropogenic influences via increased aerosol loading present in the middle of the work week. Conversely, Schultz et al. argue against the Bell et al. findings, noting that no significant trend in rainfall (amount or occurrence) can be detected in rain gauge data collected from 219 surface observing stations over a 42 year period. Based on previously suggested impacts of enhanced aerosol concentrations on precipitation microphysics and in particular, the ice phase, the results of Bell et al. suggest that in addition to the rainfall signal there may be a detectable response in lightning frequency (to the extent that the aerosol hypothesis invoked is valid). This study examines TRMM Lightning Imaging Sensor observations to detect both daily increases and decreases of lightning over the CONUS and neighboring ocean regions and further examines the possibility (through observations) of systematic direct impacts on lightning activity associated with large city locations.
Document ID
20090017889
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Petersen, Walter A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Carey, L. D.
(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-2193
Meeting Information
Meeting: 89th American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: January 10, 2009
End Date: January 16, 2009
Sponsors: American Meteorological Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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