AHP Model-Based Risk Assessment of Lightning in Meizhou

Based on the cloud-to-ground（ CG） lightning flashes data and other related data from 1999 to 2016,the lightning risk zoning of Meizhou was conducted by using the analytic hierarchy process（ AHP） model. The model considered the natural conditions,social economic conditions and other factors,and the main assessment factors were selected,containing ＂ flash density,lightning current intensity,annual thunderstorm days,lightning disaster frequency,construction area per capita and GDP per capita＂,in order to establish the evaluation model,and divide the level of risk. The results showed that the lightning risk in Meizhou area roughly had the trend of ＂ center higher than all-around,the south higher than the north,the west higher than the east＂. High-risk area was in the most region of Meijiang District and central region of Meixian District,and Wuhua County was next high-risk area. Xingning City and Fengshun County were medium risk areas,most of the other were low risk area. The result of regionalization was consistent with the actual situation,and the evaluation method was scientific and effective. Through the analysis of the lightning risk zoning,this paper could provide a scientific basis for the lightning protection and disaster reduction in the region in the future.

Microphysical Characteristics of Extreme-Rainfall Convection over the Pearl River Delta Region, South China from Polarimetric Radar Data during the Pre-summer Rainy Season

During the pre-summer rainy season,heavy rainfall occurs frequently in South China.Based on polarimetric radar observations,the microphysical characteristics and processes of convective features associated with extreme rainfall rates(ERCFs)are examined.In the regions with high ERCF occurrence frequency,sub-regional differences are found in the lightning flash rate(LFR)distributions.In the region with higher LFRs,the ERCFs have larger volumes of high reflectivity factor above the freezing level,corresponding to more active riming processes.In addition,these ERCFs are more organized and display larger spatial coverage,which may be related to the stronger low-level wind shear and higher terrain in the region.In the region with lower LFRs,the ERCFs have lower echo tops and lower-echo centroids.However,no clear differences of the most unstable convective available potential energy(MUCAPE)exist in the ERCFs in the regions with different LFR characteristics.Regardless of the LFRs,raindrop collisional coalescence is the main process for the growth of raindrops in the ERCFs.In the ERCFs within the region with lower LFRs,the main mechanism for the rapid increase of liquid water content with decreasing altitude below 4 km is through the warm-rain processes converting cloud drops to raindrops.However,in those with higher LFRs,the liquid water content generally decreases with decreasing altitude.

Statistical Analysis on Lightning Characteristics in Hebei Province

By using monitoring data of lightning locating system in Hebei during 1999- 2010 and lightning disaster data in Hebei during 2002- 2010,temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of ground flash and lightning disaster in Hebei Province were analyzed. Annual,monthly and daily changes of ground flash,lightning current intensity and ground flash density in Hebei were analyzed,and we compared ground flash with lightning disaster distribution.

Discussion on Common Problems in Risk Assessment of Lightning Disaster

The problems in calculating parameters of equivalent collection area,earth resistivity and lightning protection category as well as their effects on lightning disaster risk assessment were analyzed,and practical examples proved the effects of those differences on lightning protection identification,intercept efficiency calculation in evaluating lightning disaster risk. In the meantime,several new concepts,such as the height of buildings for lightning protection were defined,and a fixed radius value was set to the ground flash density for calculation,establishing the ground flash density formula to solve the problems in parameter calculation,which would be beneficial to promote the standardization of lightning disaster risk assessment.

Observations of NO_2 and O_3 during Thunderstorm Activity Using Visible Spectroscopy

Simultaneous observations for the total column densities of NO2,O3 and H2O were carried on using the portable Spectrometer (438-450 nm and 400-450 nm) and the visible Spectrometer (544.4-628 nm) during premonsoon thunderstorms and embedded hail storm activity at Pune (18°32'N & 73°51'E),India.These observations confirm the fact that there is an increase in O3 and NO2 column densities during thunderstorms.The increase in O3 was observed following onset of thunderstorm,while the increase in NO2 was observed only after the thunder flashes occur.This implies that the production mechanisms for O3 and NO2 in thunderstorm are different.The observed column density of NO,value (1 to 3×1017molecules cm-2) during thunderstorm activity is 10 to 30 times higher than the value (1×10th molecules cm-2) of a normal day total column density.The spectrometric observations and observations of thunder flashes by electric field meter showed that 6.4×1025molecules/flash of NO2 are produced.The increased to-oil column density of ozone during thunderstorm period is 1.2 times higher than normal (clear) day ozone concentration.The multiple scattering in the clouds is estimated from H2O and O2 absorption bands in the visible spectral region Considering this effect the calculated amount of ozone added in the global atmosphere due to thunderstorm activity is 0.26 to 0 52 DU,and the annual production of ozone due to thunderstorm activity is of the order of 4.02×10 molecules/year The annual NO2 production may be of the order of 2.02×1035molecules/year.

SEARCH FOR CORRELATIVITY OF LIGHTNING(STROKE)WITH ATMOSPHERIC STRATIFICATION FACTORS

In this paper the statistical analysis is carried out on the correlation between lightning strokes and atmospheric stratification factors.It is shown that the total number of strokes in lightning process is mainly decided by environmental temperature at altitude with the residual instability of 5℃(T_r).The instability should also affect the total number of strokc in lightning process.A forecasting equation of stroke in light- ning process has been deduced and two interesting preliminary conclusions have been obtained.