Title: The Illumination of Thunderclouds by Lightning: 1. The Extent and Altitude of Optical Lightning Sources

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]
  1. ISR‐2 Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA
  2. Science and Technology Institute Universities Space Research Association Huntsville AL USA
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Abstract Optical space‐based lightning sensors including NOAA's Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) detect lightning though its transient illumination of the surrounding clouds. What space‐based optical lightning sensors measure is influenced by the physical attributes of the light source, the location of the source within the cloud scene, and the spatial variations in cloud composition. We focus on the lightning channels that serve as optical sources for GLM groups and flashes in this first part of our thundercloud illumination study. We match Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) sources with GLM groups and flashes during two thunderstorms to examine channel segments that are active during optical emission. We find that in each storm, the LMA sources matched with GLM groups are small (median: 3 km) compared to GLM pixels (nominal: 8 km), and preferentially come from high altitudes in the cloud (>8–10 km). The detection advantage for high‐altitude sources permits GLM to resolve faint optical pulses near the cloud top that might be missed from lower altitudes. However, the most energetic groups can be detected from all altitudes, and the largest groups largely originate at low altitudes. The relationship between group energy and illuminated area depends on flash development within the cloud medium, and flash development into different cloud regions can be identified by tracking GLM metrics of cloud illumination over time.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1839159
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-21-22307; e2021JD035579
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 127; ISSN 2169-897X
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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