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contributor authorMakowski, Jeffrey A.
contributor authorMacGorman, Donald R.
contributor authorBiggerstaff, Michael I.
contributor authorBeasley, William H.
date accessioned2017-06-09T17:29:46Z
date available2017-06-09T17:29:46Z
date copyright2013/05/01
date issued2012
identifier issn0027-0644
identifier otherams-86254.pdf
identifier urihttp://onlinelibrary.yabesh.ir/handle/yetl/4229792
description abstracthe advent of regional very high frequency (VHF) Lightning Mapping Arrays (LMAs) makes it possible to begin analyzing trends in total lightning characteristics in ensembles of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). Flash initiations observed by the Oklahoma LMA and ground strikes observed by the National Lightning Detection Network were surveyed relative to infrared satellite and base-scan radar reflectivity imagery for 30 mesoscale convective systems occurring over a 7-yr period. Total lightning data were available for only part of the life cycle of most MCSs, but well-defined peaks in flash rates were usually observed for MCSs having longer periods of data. The mean of the maximum 10-min flash rates for the ensemble of MCSs was 203 min?1 for total flashes and 41 min?1 for cloud-to-ground flashes (CGs). In total, 21% of flashes were CGs and 13% of CGs lowered positive charge to ground. MCSs with the largest maximum flash rates entered Oklahoma in the evening before midnight. All three MCSs entering Oklahoma in early morning after sunrise had among the smallest maximum flash rates. Flash initiations were concentrated in or near regions of larger reflectivity and colder cloud tops. The CG flash rates and total flash rates frequently evolved similarly, although the fraction of flashes striking ground usually increased as an MCS decayed. Total flash rates tended to peak approximately 90 min before the maximum area of the ?52°C cloud shield, but closer in time to the maximum area of colder cloud shields. MCSs whose ?52°C cloud shield grew faster tended to have larger flash rates.
publisherAmerican Meteorological Society
titleTotal Lightning Characteristics Relative to Radar and Satellite Observations of Oklahoma Mesoscale Convective Systems
typeJournal Paper
journal volume141
journal issue5
journal titleMonthly Weather Review
identifier doi10.1175/MWR-D-11-00268.1
journal fristpage1593
journal lastpage1611
treeMonthly Weather Review:;2012:;volume( 141 ):;issue: 005
contenttypeFulltext


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