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Observation of Electrical Alignment Signatures in an Isolated Thunderstorm by Dual‐Polarized Phased Array Weather Radar and the Relationship With Intracloud Lightning Flash Rate.

Observation of Electrical Alignment Signatures in an Isolated Thunderstorm by Dual‐Polarized Phased Array Weather Radar and the Relationship With Intracloud Lightning Flash Rate.

Authors :
Wang, Shuo
Wada, Yuuki
Hayashi, Syugo
Ushio, Tomoo
Chandrasekar, V.
Source :
Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres; 10/16/2024, Vol. 129 Issue 19, p1-21, 21p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The electrical alignment signatures of ice crystals in the middle and upper parts of a thunderstorm have a physical connection with the strong electric fields within the cloud. By taking advantage of the high spatio‐temporal resolution of an X‐band dual‐polarized multiparameter phased array radar, this paper employs negative KDP signatures to investigate the variation of electric fields in an isolated thunderstorm within its evolution, and the relationship between the negative KDP signatures and intracloud (IC) lightning activity. The results show that the radar‐inferred strong electric fields distributed in a region of about 8.5–10 km during the developing stage, then extended from about 10 km to the cloud top during the mature stage, with an increasing IC lightning flash rate before the end of the mature stage. Subsequently, the electric fields weakened associated with a large amount of IC lightning discharges. The qualitative analysis results indicate that the evolution of the radar‐inferred electric fields associated with the upper charge regions is consistent with the electrification process in the isolated thunderstorm, inferred by the IC lighting activity. In addition, there is a tendency for the increased IC lightning rate as the decrease in average composite KDP in the middle and upper layers of the thunderstorm, with a time lag of about 5.5 min between the minimum average composite KDP and the peak IC lightning rate, while a good correlation between the negative KDP volume and the IC lightning flash rate at a lag of approximately 9 min. Plain Language Summary: By using an X‐band dual‐polarized multiparameter phased array radar with high temporal and spatial resolution, this study investigates the electrical alignment signatures of ice particles related to the strong electric fields in the middle and upper parts of an isolated thunderstorm. The results indicate the potential use of electrical alignment signatures of ice crystals for evaluating the evolution of radar‐inferred electric fields within the thunderstorm lifecycle. Moreover, well correlations are observed between negative KDP volume, average composite KDP, and intracloud lightning flash rate. Key Points: The composite KDP could be used as an indicator of intracloud (IC) lightning potential in isolated thunderstormsThe negative KDP volume and average composite KDP show well correlations with the IC lightning flash rate in an isolated thunderstormThe vertical structure of total electric field in the upper parts of an isolated thunderstorm could be explored by negative KDP signatures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2169897X
Volume :
129
Issue :
19
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
180216902
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JD040681