Relations of kinematics, microphysics and electrification in an isolated mountain thunderstorm
This paper addresses aspects of the airflow, microphysics, and electrification in a mountain thunderstorm which occurred on 7 August 1979 over the Langmuir Laboratory near Socorro, New Mexico, site of the Thunderst Research International Program (TRIP). Single Doppler observations are used to form a conceptual model of the essentially one-dimensional storm nematic numerical cloud model is employed with the analytic updraft profile to diagnose the evolution of temperature, water substance, radar reflectivity, space charge density and axial electric field in the main updraft region. Retrieved thermal, microphysical, and electrical variabiles are verified with in situ aircraft and balloon observations and measured radar reflectivity. The calculated ing graupel particles is in a direct proportion to cloud and precipitation content, and attains a peak value of about 10 C km/sup -3/ min/sup -1/ between -30/sup 0/ and -40/sup 0/C. and vertical electric field imply that the noninductive graupel-ice charge separation mechanism accounts for a substantial portion of the storm's total separated charge. The peak noninductive charging rate appears to balance the discharge rate implied by the observed flash rate.
- Research Organization:
- National Severe Storms Labortory, NOAA, Norman, OK 73069
- OSTI ID:
- 7248720
- Journal Information:
- J. Atmos. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 43:19
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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