Assimilation of GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper Flash Extent Density Data in GSI 3DVar, EnKF, and Hybrid En3DVar for the Analysis and Short-Term Forecast of a Supercell Storm Case

Capabilities to assimilate Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite “R-series ”(GOES-R) Geostationary Lightning Mapper(GLM) flash extent density(FED) data within the operational Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation ensemble Kalman filter(GSI-EnKF) framework were previously developed and tested with a mesoscale convective system(MCS) case. In this study, such capabilities are further developed to assimilate GOES GLM FED data within the GSI ensemble-variational(EnVar) hybrid data assimilation(DA) framework. The results of assimilating the GLM FED data using 3DVar, and pure En3DVar(PEn3DVar, using 100% ensemble covariance and no static covariance) are compared with those of EnKF/DfEnKF for a supercell storm case. The focus of this study is to validate the correctness and evaluate the performance of the new implementation rather than comparing the performance of FED DA among different DA schemes. Only the results of 3DVar and pEn3DVar are examined and compared with EnKF/DfEnKF. Assimilation of a single FED observation shows that the magnitude and horizontal extent of the analysis increments from PEn3DVar are generally larger than from EnKF, which is mainly caused by using different localization strategies in EnFK/DfEnKF and PEn3DVar as well as the integration limits of the graupel mass in the observation operator. Overall, the forecast performance of PEn3DVar is comparable to EnKF/DfEnKF, suggesting correct implementation.

Dynamic propagation velocity of a positive streamer in a 3 m air gap under lightning impulse voltage

Streamers represent an important stage in the initiation of gap discharge. In this work, we used an eight-frame intensified charge-coupled device camera to capture the streamer development process when a lightning impulse voltage of 95%–100% U50% was applied in a 3 m rod–plate gap and the streamer velocity was analyzed. Analysis of the observations shows that streamer velocity can be defined by three stages: rapid velocity decline(stage 1), rapid velocity rise(stage 2)and slow velocity decline(stage 3). The effects of electrode shape, applied voltage and gap breakdown or withstanding on streamer velocity were analyzed. The electrode with a larger radius of curvature will result in a higher initial velocity, and a higher voltage amplitude will cause the streamer to propagate faster at stage 3. Gap withstanding or breakdown has no obvious effect on streamer velocity. In addition, the experimental results are compared with previous results and the statistical characteristics of the primary streamer discharge are discussed.

Characteristics of Lightning Activity in Southeast China and its Relation to the Atmospheric Background

Based on the lightning observation data from the Fengyun-4A(FY-4A)Lightning Mapping Imager(FY-4A/LMI)and the Lightning Imaging Sensor(LIS)on the International Space Station(ISS),we extract the“event”type data as the lightning detection results.These observations are then compared with the cloud-to-ground(CG)lightning observation data from the China Meteorological Administration.This study focuses on the characteristics of lightning activity in Southeast China,primarily in Jiangxi Province and its adjacent areas,from April to September,2017–2022.In addition,with the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data,we further delved into the potential factors influencing the distribution and variations in lightning activity and their primary related factors.Our findings indicate that the lightning frequency and density of the FY-4A/LMI,ISS-LIS and CG data are higher in southern and central Jiangxi,central Fujian Province,and western and central Guangdong Province,while they tend to be lower in eastern Hunan Province.In general,the high-value areas of lightning density for the FY-4A/LMI are located in inland mountainous areas.The lower the latitude is,the higher the CG lightning density is.High-value areas of the CG lightning density are more likely to be located in eastern Fujian and southeastern Zhejiang Province.However,the high-value areas of lightning density for the ISS-LIS are more dispersed,with a scattered distribution in inland mountainous areas and along the coast of eastern Fujian.Thus,the mountainous terrain is closely related to the high-value areas of the lightning density.The locations of the high-value areas of the lightning density for the FY-4A/LMI correspond well with those for the CG observations,and the seasonal variations are also consistent.In contrast,the distribution of the high-value areas of the lightning density for the ISS-LIS is more dispersed.The positions of the peak frequency of the FY-4A/LMI lightning and CG lightning contrast with local altitudes,primarily located at lower altitudes or near mountainsides.K-index and convective available potential energy(CAPE)can better reflect the local boundary layer conditions,where the lightning density is higher and lightning seasonal variations are apparent.There are strong correlations in the annual variations between the dew-point temperature(Td)and CG lightning frequency,and the monthly variations of the dew-point temperature and CAPE are also strongly correlated with monthly variations of CG lightning,while they are weakly correlated with the lightning frequency for the FY-4A/LMI and ISS-LIS.This result reflects that the CAPE shows a remarkable effect on the CG lightning frequency during seasonal transitions.

Influence of Lightning Disaster on Cities and Lightning Defense Measures

Under the influence of special terrain and climatic conditions,lightning weather in Ulanqab City is more frequent from June to August,and lightning disaster has become one of the important tasks of disaster prevention and mitigation.In this paper,based on the characteristics of lightning weather in Ulanqab City,the impact of lightning disaster on the city was analyzed,and lightning protection measures,such as strengthening supervision of lightning protection safety,establishing a long-term lightning protection mechanism,doing a good job in lightning protection construction and detection in key places,and further improving public awareness of lightning protection,were put forward to reduce and avoid urban lightning disasters as much as possible and ensure urban safety.

Numerical Simulations of the Flow Field around a Cylindrical Lightning Rod

As an important lightning protection device in substations,lightning rods are susceptible to vibration and potential structural damage under wind loads.In order to understand their vibration mechanism,it is necessary to conduct flow analysis.In this study,numerical simulations of the flow field around a 330 kV cylindrical lightning rod with different diameters were performed using the SST k-ωmodel.The flow patterns in different segments of the lightning rod at the same reference wind speed(wind speed at a height of 10 m)and the flow patterns in the same segment at different reference wind speeds were investigated.The variations of lift coefficient,drag coefficient,and vorticity distribution were obtained.The results showed that vortex shedding phenomena occurred in all segments of the lightning rod,and the strength of vortex shedding increased with decreasing diameter.The vorticity magnitude and the root mean square magnitudes of the lift coefficient and drag coefficient also increased accordingly.The time history curves of the lift coefficient and drag coefficient on the surface of the lightning rod exhibited sinusoidal patterns with a single dominant frequency.For the same segment,as the wind speed increased in a certain range,the root mean square values of the lift coefficient and drag coefficient decreased,while their dominant frequencies increased.Moreover,there was a proportional relationship between the dominant frequencies of the lift coefficient and drag coefficient.The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for the refined design of lightning rods with similar structures.

Lightning in a Forest (Wild) Fire: Mechanism at the Molecular Level

The mechanism of lightning that ignites a forest fire and the lightning that occurs above a forest fire are explained at the molecular level. It is based on two phenomena, namely, internal charge separation inside the atmospheric cloud particles and the existence of a layer of positively charged hydrogen atoms sticking out of the surface of the liquid layer of water on the surface of rimers. Strong turbulence-driven collisions of the ice particles and water droplets with the rimers give rise to breakups of the ice particles and water droplets into positively and negatively charged fragments leading to charge separation. Hot weather in a forest contributes to the updraft of hot and humid air, which follows the same physical/chemical processes of normal lightning proposed and explained recently[1]. Lightning would have a high probability of lighting up and burning the dry biological materials in the ground of the forest, leading to a forest (wild) fire. The burning of trees and other plants would release a lot of heat and moisture together with a lot of smoke particles (aerosols) becoming a strong updraft. The condition for creating lightning is again satisfied which would result in further lightning high above the forest wild fire.

Flashover Probability of Wind Turbine Blade and Impact of Strong Electromagnetic Pulse from Lightning Strikes on Wind Turbine Safety

This paper systematically studies the flashover probability of wind turbine blade lightning arrester and the impact of strong electromagnetic pulses on the local and surrounding wind turbines during lightning strikes.The research results indicate that the flashover probability of direct lightning strikes by the wind turbine blade lightning arrester is almost negligible,and the strong electromagnetic pulse of wind turbine blade during lightning strikes has a serious impact on the electronic equipment of the machine,while the impact on the surrounding wind turbine is relatively small.At the same time,the calculation formula for the reflection of lightning current on the carbon brush between the wind turbine hub and the engine compartment during the flashing of the wind turbine blades is provided,and the calculation method for calculating the spatial gradient distribution of electromagnetic field intensity using Biot-Savart Law theorem is applied.The limitations of using wind turbine blades for lightning protection are pointed out,and a technical route for achieving wind turbine lightning safety is proposed,which can be used as a reference for wind turbine lightning protection technicians.

Construction Technology of Lightning Protection Devices in Building Electrical Installation Engineering

To better improve the electrical safety of buildings and fulfill the role of lightning protection and grounding,this article combines cases and discusses seven aspects of lightning protection devices’construction technology.These aspects include the lightning protection classification of buildings,air terminals,down conductors,grounding devices,division of lightning protection zones,and lightning electromagnetic pulse shielding.Through the introduction of this article,readers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the application and value of lightning protection grounding construction technology in building electrical installation projects.

“法国跑车”第二春PEAK TEAM LIGHTNING

匹克的冠军定律不仅我们津津乐遒，远在大洋彼岸的美职篮似乎也开始重视起来。作为西部第一劲旅，目标直指总冠军的马刺队又怎能没有匹克球星昵？因此，匹克与马刺主力控卫帕克的联姻便是自然而然了。

基于Lightning的生产线仿真

采用基于Lightning的虚拟现实技术对生产线进行了模拟仿真。在仿真过程中采用多层模拟方法,根据在线设备的实时信号快速诊断在线设备的行为和工作状态,有效地加快了虚拟设备、工艺及控制的建模,实现了虚拟设备的行为仿真和生产线的控制过程仿真,为生产线工作状态预判及优化生产线设计提供了先进平台。

Analysis on Lightning Activities and Its Disastrous Climate Characteristics in Shandong Province

By using the reported data of lightning disaster and the data of lightning monitoring network in Shandong Province since its establishment,the lightning activities and the disaster climate characteristics in Shandong Province were analyzed.The data were processed by lattice formulation,and the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of positive and negative CG flashes were given.The parameter characteristics of positive and negative ground lightning and its relationship with the lightning disasters were analyzed.And the lightning parameter characteristics of lightning in major cities of Shandong Province were analyzed.

Review of the Lightning Shielding Against Direct Lightning Strokes Based on Laboratory Long Air Gap Discharges

长间隙放电是研究地面物体雷电屏蔽问题的最有效手段之一。首先介绍了国内外在雷电击距、直击雷防护措施的屏蔽性能试验和雷电迎面先导过程研究3个方面所取得的进展，并结合最新开展的长达6m问隙尺度的放电试验观测，对现阶段上述3个方面研究所存在的问题进行了分析。认为基于雷电击距建立的电气几何模型（electricgeometrymodel，EGM）仅适用于小尺度目标物的雷电屏蔽性能分析，现有的雷电屏蔽模拟试验方法仅能近似模拟不存在雷电迎面先导时的雷击过程，无法完全证明以提前流注发射模型装置为代表的非传统防雷装置具有比传统措施更优越的屏蔽性能。大尺度目标物的雷电屏蔽问题应聚焦于雷电迎面先导过程的研究，建立并完善雷电迎面先导过程的模拟试验方法和物理仿真模型。

Study on Distribution Characteristics of Lightning Disasters in Hebei Province

Based on the special landscape and regional characteristics,the lightning location information from 1999 to 2008 and conventional observation data from 1971 to 2000 provided by electricity departments in Hebei Province were applied to analyze spatial and temporal distribution of lightning.With lighting disaster data since 2000 provided by meteorological department,and records from civil affair,statistics,insurance,and other departments,the lighting disaster distribution of Hebei Province was studied from aspects of economic and people losses,and some countermeasures for several lightning disasters industries were put forward.

Radar Echo and Lightning Characteristics Analysis on A Strong Thunderstorm Weather in Fuxin

Based on the radar data and lightning position indicator data of strong thunderstorm weather which happened in Fuxin on July 8,2007,the relationship between the lightning activity and the radar echo was analyzed.The results showed that Fuxin area located in the cross position of T-shaped trough and was affected by the cold air which continuously glided down.The corresponding warm front on the ground advanced southward and arrived here.It was the weather background of this thunderstorm weather.The position variation of lightning occurrence was closely related to the strong echo movement of squall line,and the velocity echo clearly reflected and predicted the movement tendency of the radar echo.

Analysis on Spatio-temporal Distribution of Lightning in Dalian Area of China between 2007 and 2008

The cloud-to-ground lightning data between 2007 and 2008 were collected by lightning detection and location system,which was composed of four lightning detectors in four different sites of Dalian area.The spatio-temporal distribution of cloud-to-ground lightning in surrounding areas of Dalian was analyzed from several aspects of polarity distribution,diurnal variation,lightning intensity and lightning density.The results showed that the number of negative lightning accounted for 93.9% of the total number of lightning,and its average lightning intensity was 27.99 kA.The number of positive lightning accounted for 6.1% of the total number of lightning,and its average lightning intensity was 35.56 kA.The diurnal variation of lightning frequency showed an obvious structure of two peaks (17:00-18:00 and 04:00-05:00) and two valleys (09:00-10:00 and 00:00-01:00).The number of lightning between May and September was 91.5% of the annual number,and the lightning occurred the most frequently between June and August.Most of positive and negative lightning was at the intensity of 15-35 kA,80.0% lower than 40 kA,and 99.3% lower than 100 kA.The lightning density had obvious regional differences in distribution,high in the Liaodong Bay and the Dalian Bay and low in inland areas.Therefore,coastal areas should attract more attention in lightning disaster defense in the surrounding areas of Dalian.

Technology Research on Lightning Strike Risk Evaluation of a Cable Car

According to structure function and lightning damage of a cable car, a feasible method of lightning strike risk evaluation for a cable car was put forward based on the evaluation model and evaluation method in the standard IEC62305-2. According to the difference between common buildings and cable cars, problems of height non-uniformity of equivalent section caused by inclination of the cable car and diversity of lightning activity regularity caused by the large area were resolved, and expected annual average frequency of lightning strike was calculated using three dimensional graphic approach and regional lightning characteristic analysis. Based on different types of damage process and loss consequences, according to interception effect against lightning invasion of the lightning protection measures and the method of probability selection proposed in the standard, the probability of casu- alty caused by direct lightning strike in a cable car and a waiting area as well as probabilities of casualty caused by failure of electronic information systems were cal- culated.

Importance and Design Requirements of Equipotential Connection in Lightning Protection Engineering

The role played by equipotential connection in lightning protection was summarized in terms of lightning protection,static electricity,electromagnetic shielding,protection from electric shocks,and earth fault protection.In addition,drawbacks of independent grounding and common grounding were concluded.According to standards and researches,such as Building Lightning Protection Design Standard （GB50057-2010）,further demands and rules of equipotential connection in lightning protection engineering were proposed,providing references for lightning prevention design,construction and examination by related scientific workers and staffs.

新Lightning明年欧洲上市

伏克斯豪尔基本上确定从2005年开始推出一款新型双座跑车．不过该车肯定不是此前直倍受追捧的Lightning。取而代之的是，Luton正计划为旁蒂克Soistice改头换面，打造出的新车型将在Kappa平台上生产．该平台也生产Lightning车型。

Evolution of the Total Lightning Activity in a Leading-Line and Trailing Stratiform Mesoscale Convective System over Beijing

Data from the Beijing SAFIR 3000 lightning detection system and Doppler radar provided some insights into the three-dimensional lightning structure and evolution of a leading-line and trailing-stratiform （LLTS） mesoscale convective system （MCS） over Beijing on 31 July 2007. Most of the lightning in the LLTS-MCS was intracloud （IC） lightning, while the mean ratio of positive cloud-to-ground （＋CG） lightning to –CG lightning was 1：4, which was higher than the average value from previous studies. The majority of CG lightning occurred in the convective region of the radar echo, particularly at the leading edge of the front. Little IC lightning and little ＋CG lightning occurred in the stratiform region. The distribution of the CG lightning indicated that the storm had a tilted dipole structure given the wind shear or the tripole charge structure. During the storm’s development, most of the IC lightning occurred at an altitude of ～9.5 km; the lightning rate reached its maximum at 10.5 km, the altitude of IC lightning in the mature stage of the storm. When the thunderstorm began to dissipate, the altitude of the IC lightning decreased gradually. The spatial distribution of lightning was well correlated with the rainfall on the ground, although the peak value of rainfall appeared 75 min later than the peak lightning rate.

Lightning Activity and Its Relation to the Intensity of Typhoons over the Northwest Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACT Data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network （WWLLN） were used to analyze the lightning activity and the relationship between maximum sustained wind and lightning rate in 69 tropical cyclones over the Northwest Pacific Ocean from 2005 to 2009. The minimum lightning density was observed in the category 2 typhoon Kong-Rey （2007）, with a value of only 1.15 d-1 （100 kin）-2. The maximum lightning density occurred in the category 2 typhoon Mitag （2007）, with a value of 510.42 d-1 （100 km）-2. The average lightning density decreased with radius from the typhoon center in both weak （categories 1-3） and super （categories 4-5） typhoons. The average lightning density in the inner core of super typhoons was more than twice as large as that for weak typhoons. Both groups of typhoons showed a near-monotonic decrease in lightning density with radius. Results also showed that lightning activity was more active in typhoons that made landfall than in those that did not. The mean correlation coefficient between the accumulated flashes within a 600-kin radius and the maximum wind speed in the weak typhoons and super typhoons was 0.81 and 0.74, respectively. For more than 78% （56%） of the super （weak） typhoons, the lightning activity peaked before the maximum sustained wind speed, with the most common leading time being 30 （60） h. The results suggest that, for the Northwest Pacific Ocean, lightning activity might be used as a measurement of the intensification of typhoons.