Research Progress

Characteristics of Three-Dimensional Lightning and Radar Echo Using the Broadband Field Lightning Mapping System

Updatetime:2010-12-31From:

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The three-dimensional temporal and spatial lightning radiation sources of a thunderstorm in Shandong are located using the broadband electric field lightning mapping system which designed by us. The system takes the advantage of GPS technology to measure the arrival times of signal of lightning at each station and can be used to study the temporal and spatial development processes of lightning at a high spatial resolution.The result indicates that the temporal and spatial distributions of radiation sources (corresponding the distribution of intense electric field region) takes on tripole structure with three distinct layers during the whole intracloud discharge. The three layers locate in the heights of 6~8 km, 4~6 km and 2.5~4 km,  respectively. This tripole structure is inferred to correspond the tripole charge structure of a typical thunderstorm. Intracloud discharges usually originate from the middle negative charge region and then propagate upward into the upper positive charge region. With the development of the thunderstorm,  many negative leaders propagated downward into the lower positive charge region and produced inverted intracloud discharges. These types of discharges sustained until the final stage of the storm. It is found that the positive cloud-to-ground flash rate increased due to the presence of the strong lower positive charge region in the thunderstorm.The comparison between the location of lightning radiation sources and radar echo shows that the intensity of radar echo affects lightning activities. Most of radiation sources located in the echo region of 25~35 dBz while a few radiation sources in the lowest positive layer appeared in the echo region of 40~50 dBz. Apperantly,  the most active lightning radiation regions do not correspond with the most intense echo region,  although the extension of the intense echo region could cause the extension of the active lightning radiation region.

 

The evolution of surface electric field with time during thunderstorm occurring process

(Picture/Plateau Meteorology)

 

Radiation sources plan views of a storm occurred

(Picture/Plateau Meteorology)

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