Spatiotemporal characteristics of positive cloud-to-ground lightning discharges and bidirectional leader of the lightning

The three-dimension spatiotemporal development characteristics of positive cloud-to- ground (CG) lightning discharges have been analyzed by using the data measured by the lightning mapping array system with high time and space resolution. The results indicate that a positive CG lightning discharge can be divided into three stages based on the characteristics of its development. The first stage is discharge process in cloud with a long duration preceding the return stroke. This process with an average of 370 ms propagated at velocity of 105 m/s and produced intensive radiation with a magnitude equal to that of the negative leader. During this stage, the lightning channels de-veloped horizontally in the positive charge region with few branches as the negative polarity break-down. During the stage after the return stroke of the positive CG lightning, the lightning channels propagated at velocity of 2 times faster than that before the return stroke. This stage involved lots of positive fast impulses and corresponded to the continuing current process producing less and dis-persed radiation points and more intensive radiation powers. During the final stage of the positive CG lightning, the lightning channels developed at velocity equal to that before the return stroke and the radiation points appeared mainly at the ends of channel. The spatiotemporal development character-istics of the positive CG lightning are very different from that of the negative CG lightning. All of the radiation points of the positive CG lightning appeared in the positive charge region of cloud. Little or no radiation was detected during the positive leader just before the return stroke. The duration of the positive CG lightning was an average of 730 ms. The positive CG lightning discharges with lasting time of 500―600 ms were 43%. 90% of the positive CG lightning discharges involved one return stroke, the most return stroke number being four. The current of the return stroke was an average of 36.5 kA with maximum and minimum values of 70 kA and 11.5 kA respectively. 40% of the return stroke currents were more than 40 kA.

Estimation of Lightning-Generated NO_(x) in the Mainland of China Based on Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Location Data

Lightning-generated nitrogen oxides(LNO_(x))have a major influence on the atmosphere and global climate change.Therefore,it is of great importance to obtain a more accurate estimation of LNO_(x).The aim of this study is to provide a reference for the accurate estimation of the total LNO_(x) in the mainland of China based on cloud-to-ground lightning(CG)location data from 2014 to 2018.The energy of each CG flash was based on the number of return strokes per CG flash,the peak current of each return stroke,and the assumed CG breakdown voltage.The energy of intracloud lightning(IC)was based on the estimated frequencies of IC and the assumed energy of each IC flash.Combining the energy of lightning and the number of nitric oxide(NO)molecules produced by unit energy(ρno),the total LNO_(x) production in the mainland of China was determined.The LNO_(x) in the mainland of China estimated in this study is in the range(0.157-0.321)×10^(9) kg per year[Tg(N)yr-1],which is on the high end of other scholars’works.Negative cloud-to-ground lightning(NCG)flashes produce the most moles of NO_(x),while positive cloud-to-ground lightning(PCG)flashes produce the least total moles of NO_(x).The breakdown voltage of PCG is greater than that of IC or NCG,while the latter has a greater output of LNO_(x).

Propagation of positive, negative, and recoil leaders in upward lightning flashes

Leader propagation is a fundamental issue in lightning physics. The propagation characteristics of positive leaders and negative leaders are summarized and compared based on data from high-speed camera and electromagnetic field in rocket-triggered lightning and tower-initiated lightning discharges; available channel base current data recorded in rocket-triggered lightning are also used. The negative leaders propagate in a stepped fashion accompanied by many branches. The stems ahead of the negative leader tip determine the manner and direction of the leader propagation, and even the branching and winding of the lightning channel. The impulsive current, electromagnetic field, and related optical images suggest that the positive leader may develop in a step-like fashion at its initial stage of triggered lightning. However, the stepping processes of the positive leader are obviously different from those of the negative leader. Tower-initiated lightning revealed that the most conspicuous characteristics of the stepwise positive leader involve the intermittent brush-like corona zone in front of the leader tip and the luminosity enhancement of the channel behind the tip. In rockettriggered lightning flashes, the charge transferred during an individual step for the negative leader was nearly an order greater than for the positive counterpart. The successive streamers ahead of the leader tip are essential for both negative and positive leader propagation, and the stems could be formed from one or more streamers in the previous negative streamer zone with the main leader channel dim. High-resolution observation of tower lightning also revealed a new type of bidirectional recoil leader, with polarity contrary to the traditional one, traversing in negative channels associated with tower-initiated and rocket-triggered lightning.

The Characteristics of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Activity with Severe Thunderstorm Wind in South and North China

The characteristics of cloud-to-ground(CG) lightning activity with severe thunderstorm wind(STW) in South and North China are analyzed using CG lightning data, radar data, and serious weather reports. The percentage of positive CG(PCG) flashes with STW in North China is larger than that in South China. STW takes place during the period when the total CG and PCG density is increasing fastest. STW also occurs close to the high-value center of CG and PCG density. In North China, the CG and PCG density in the grid of STW maximizes approximately 20 minutes after the STW occurs; while in South China, the PCG density and percentage of PCG in the grid of STW maximizes about 10 minutes before the occurrence of STW. The high-value centers of CG density and PCG density in North China move slightly faster than those in South China, which is opposite to the rate of increasing CG activity.

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Lightning Activity in Ulanqab City

From January 2020 to December 2021,Ulanqab Meteorological Bureau of Inner Mongolia used VLF/LF lightning locator to carry out three-dimensional lightning monitoring in Ulanqab City,and compared with ADTD lightning location data in the same period.The results show that both VLF/LF lightning locator and ADTD lightning locator had excellent monitoring ability for lightning during flood season in Ulanqab.VLF/LF lightning locator was slightly superior to ADTD lightning locator in observation accuracy,the observation ability of low-current cloud-to-ground lightning,intracloud lightning observation and so on.There were obvious temporal and spatial characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning during flood season in Ulanqab,and there was a certain correlation between the areas where lightning appeared frequently and surface water.Intracloud lightning was mainly concentrated at a height of 1-7 km.Negative cloud-to-ground lightning accounted for about 75%of total cloud-to-ground lightning,and negative intracloud lightning accounted for 39%of total intracloud lightning.

Application of Lightning Monitoring and Positioning Data in Investigation and Identification of Lightning Disaster in Inner Mongolia

The lightning current magnitude and other characteristics are important basic data of the lightning disaster investigation and identification. The characteristics of lightning monitoring and positioning system in Inner Mongolia were introduced and studied in the lightning accident analysis based on the lightning monitoring and positioning data of the lightning stroke accidents. The positioning error of lightning monitoring and positioning system was analyzed. The results showed that lightning current intensity and the position precision were very important data in the lightning disaster investigation. Finally, a variety of meteorological data should be applied in the lightning disaster investigation and identification.

Characteristics of Cloud-to-ground Lightning during a Squall Line Process outside of the Subtropical High

Based on the monitoring data of cloud-to-ground( CG) lightning positioning network and Doppler weather radar as well as MICAPS1°× 1° objective analysis field,a squall line process outside of the subtropical high in low-latitude plateau on May 7,2010 was analyzed. The results showed that wind direction shear between low and high levels and low-level convergence zones provided favorable circulation background for the strong thunderstorm process,while high energy and high humidity,strong thermal instability and ascending motion at low and middle levels offered beneficial environmental conditions for the formation of the thunderstorm. 9 620 return strokes of cloud-to-ground lightning were monitored by the lightning positioning network,and cloud-to-ground lightning was distributed like bands between 584 and 586 hP a. The occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning was mainly related to echo top and echo intensity at-10 ℃ stratification height,and it mainly appeared in zones where echo top height was larger than 13 km and echo intensity at-10 ℃ stratification height was 35-40 dB Z. Wind convergence and maintaining of high radial velocity were favorable for the development of convective echoes and occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning.

Study on the Scope of Small Amplitude of Cloud-to-ground Lightning in Lightning Weather Monitoring

Based on lightning location data in Chongqing region during 1999-2008,the frequency of lightning in various amplitude ranges and its annual variations were analyzed firstly.Afterwards,with the aid of matlab mathematical software,the distribution of the lightning location data was fitted using logarithmic normal distribution function.The results showed that after data of cloud-to-ground lightning with current amplitude from-5 to5 kA were deleted from lightning location data,the statistical characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning could be reflected well.Meanwhile,lightning with current amplitude from-5 to 5 kA accounted for 1.05%（less than 2%）,which accorded with the detection principle of lightning position indicator（there existed error detection）.Therefore,cloud-to-ground lightning with current amplitude of-5-5 kA in lightning location data of Chongqing region was defined as small amplitude of cloud-to-ground lightning,which could provide scientific references for the processing of lightning location data in Chongqing region as well as analysis and quality control of lightning location data in other regions.

Studies on the Distribution Characteristics of the Cloud-to-Ground Lightning and Its Disasters Prevention in Xinjiang, China in 2017

Xinjiang, China is affected by geographical terrain and other factors, and is prone to lightning disasters. In order to effectively carry out lightning protection and disaster reduction work and improve defense capabilities, based on the data of lightning location monitoring in Xinjiang in 2017 and the statistics reports of the lightning disasters from 2015 to 2017, the characteristics of the cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning activities and disasters in Xinjiang were statistically analyzed. The results show that the CG lightning in Xinjiang is mainly the negative one, accounting for 79.7% of the total lightning. In 2017, the distribution of positive, negative and total the CG lightning months mainly focuses on June to August, and the main occurrence period is from 14 to 23 hours. The intensity of total the CG lightning and negative the CG lightning mainly distributes from 20 to 40 kA, and the peak value appears in 30 kA. The CG lightning intensity is mainly distributed in 30 - 70 kA. The distribution of the CG lightning density in Xinjiang is larger in the north than in the south and larger in the west than in the east. Lightning disasters mainly occur from May to August, accounting for 93.2 percent of the total, with the largest number in June. From 2005 to 2017, 44.6% of lightning accidents occurred in farming and pastoral areas, followed by civil electronic equipment damage. In addition, electrical equipment, buildings and factory equipment are damaged by lightning strikes to varying degrees.

Characteristics of Cloud-to-ground Lightning during a Local Rainstorm in Meizhou City

Based on cloud-to-ground lightning data of lightning location system,Doppler radar data,and precipitation data of regional automatic weather stations,the characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning during a local rainstorm on June 4,2016 in Meizhou City were analyzed. The results showed that the spatial distribution of cloud-to-ground lightning from 14： 00 to 20： 00 on June 4,2016 in Meizhou City had obvious local characteristics,and the proportion of negative lightning was larger than that of positive lightning（ only 16. 8%）. The concentration period of positive lightning coincided with that of cloud-to-ground lightning. The peak of proportion of positive lightning lagged behind the peak of cloud-to-ground lightning,and appeared in the late period of thunderstorm disappearance. The dense area of cloud-to-ground lightning and the area with heavy rainfall coincided with the area with strong radar echoes. Doppler weather radar data had the feature of the headwind zone,strong combined reflectivity,vertical height of strong echoes,high echo top,and fast radial movement. The peak of cloud-to-ground lightning appeared one hour earlier than that of precipitation. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning and precipitation. The peak of negative lightning corresponded to that of positive lightning,and cloud-to-ground lightning ended earlier than rainfall. After the peak of precipitation,convective system rapidly weakened and disappeared. Precipitation and the frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning fluctuated frequently during the whole process. The jumps and peaks of negative lightning were indicative of rainfall changes.

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.

Locating Parent Lightning Strokes of Sprites Observed over a Mesoscale Convective System in Shandong Province,China

In this paper, we report the location results for the parent lightning strokes of more than 30 red sprites observed over an asymmetric mesoscale convective system(MCS) on 30 July 2015 in Shandong Province, China, with a long-baseline lightning location network of very-low-frequency/low-frequency magnetic field sensors. The results show that almost all of these cloud-to-ground(CG) strokes are produced during the mature stage of the MCS, and are predominantly located in the trailing stratiform region, which is similar to analyses of sprite-productive MCSs in North America and Europe. Comparison between the location results for the sprite-producing CG strokes and those provided by the World Wide Lightning Location Network(WWLLN) indicates that the location accuracy of WWLLN for intense CG strokes in Shandong Province is typically within 10 km, which is consistent with the result based on analysis of 2838 sprite-producing CG strokes in the continental United States. Also, we analyze two cases where some minor lightning discharges in the parent flash of sprites can also be located, providing an approach to confine the thundercloud region tapped by the sprite-producing CG strokes.

THE STATISTIC RELATION BETWEEN LIGHTNING AND CINRAD DOPPLER RADAR ECHOES IN CENTRAL GUANGDONG

Based on the CINRAD Doppler radar data in Guangzhou and the lightning data in 2004 by power suppliers of Guangdong, statistical study is done by overlaying lightning＇s position on radar＇s echo. The result shows the followings. The concentrated period in which more negative lightning occurred at the middle levels （2 - 14 km）, where radar echo was moderate （12 - 45 dBz）, rather than at the low levels with the weakest echoes or at high levels with the strongest echoes. At levels 3 - 11 km, where the radar echo was between 10 dBz and 35 dBz, the area of negative lightning was much larger in central Guangdong than in the rest of the province. At levels 0.5 - 7 krn where the radar echoes were between 44 dBz and 51 dBz, the probability for a point to have negative lightning varies from 0.4 to 0.7.

About Resolvability of the Problem of Lightning Coordinates Finding by the Time of Lightning Discharge Arrival

On the unit sphere, the geometric problem of calculating the position of a point relative to three given points is considered. We know the length of three spherical segments that go out from the given points in the direction of the unknown point. The requirement must be fulfilled: the distance from each point to an unknown point must be equal to the sum of the length of the segment outgoing from this point, and some increment, the same for all three segments. In the article, the conditions for the solvability of a geometric problem are established by the methods of spherical trigonometry and vector algebra. It is proved that when they are fulfilled, the problem is always solvable. The number of solutions is two, except in rare cases where there is only one solution. A solution method is presented. One of the practical applications is the problem of determining the time and location of a cloud-to-ground lightning discharge, which is directly reduced to this problem.

Positive Charge Region in Lower Part of Thunderstorm and Preliminary Breakdown Process of Negative Cloud-to-Ground Lightning

A new lightning locating technology, called Lightning Mapping Array （LMA）, has been developed. The system takes advantage of GPS technology to measure the times of arrival （TOA） of lightning impulsive very high frequency （VHF） radiation events at each remote location. The spatiotemporal development processes of lightning are described in three-dimension by measurement of the system with high time resolution （50 ns） and space precision （50-100 m）. The charge structures in thunderstorm and their relationship with lightning discharge processes are revealed. The temporal and spatial characteristics of preliminary breakdown process involved in negative cloud-to-ground （CG） lightning discharges are analyzed based on the data of lightning VHF radiation events. The effect of positive charge region in lower part of thunderstorm on the occurrence of negative CG lightning discharge is discussed. The results indicate that the preliminary breakdown process with longer duration in negative CG lightning discharges is an intracloud discharge process. It occurs between negative and positive charge regions located in middle and lower parts of thunderstorm respectively. It initiates from the negative charge region and propagates downward. After propagating into the positive charge region, the lightning channel develops horizontally. The characteristics of the preliminary breakdown process are consistent with that of intracloud lightning discharges. The stepped leaders are initiated by the K type breakdown which occurs in the last stage of the preliminary breakdown process and develops downward through the positive charge region. The existence of positive charge region in lower part of thunderstorm results in the occurrence of preliminary breakdown process with longer duration before the return stroke of negative CG lightning discharges.

云南省两套闪电定位系统地闪回击参数对比及探测性能分析

根据2017—2020年云南省ADTD二维和VLF/LF三维闪电定位系统观测资料,对比两套系统地闪回击参数分布差异。在实际回击位置和雷电流强度信息难以获得的情况下,研究利用两套系统反演资料对相同回击事件的识别匹配和时空阈值选取方法,分析相对定位偏差。结果表明:两套系统的回击密度、雷电流幅值在滇东、滇西南和滇西北等地的空间分布差异明显,由三维系统得到的回击密度较大,但二维系统雷电流幅值均值更高。两套系统均以单回击地闪占比更高,正地闪中的单回击地闪比重较负地闪更大,三维系统对于0~5 kA负回击小幅值电流的探测效率有所提高。通过采用10km、1 ms的时空阈值匹配窗口,得到两套系统对于同一次回击的相对定位时间差主要集中在0.05 ms内,距离偏差集中在1 km内。系统匹配回击在滇中、滇西南的时空偏差较小,滇西北的偏差较大。从回击极性、相关系数、相对误差、幅值比及幅值累积概率等方面,分析得到两套系统对于相同回击事件的电流强度反演结果一致性较好,验证了应用系统反演资料对于同一回击事件的识别匹配方法是客观可靠的。

双层均匀口袋电荷模型下闪电起放电特征的数值模拟研究

大量基于观测的研究认为闪电通道的延展尺度与电荷的分布形态息息相关,强对流区频繁始发的小尺度闪电对应雷暴云内的背景电荷很有可能为“口袋电荷”的分布模式。为验证口袋电荷背景下能形成此类云闪并给出该电荷背景下闪电起、放电的一般规律,本研究将闪电放电参数化方案植入到双层均匀口袋电荷模型中开展了大量随机模拟试验。模拟过程中固定了电荷区的总尺度,通过改变电荷对数进行探讨,着重讨论各电荷背景下闪电起始和放电行为的异同。模拟结果表明:(1)随着电荷对数的增加,闪电启动需要的电荷浓度和电荷总量均增加。(2)小电荷区的水平垂直尺度比是影响闪电起始行为的关键因子,除此之外各电荷背景下闪电起始位置和启动概率在水平、垂直方向上的差异还与多对电荷的空间配置关系和逃逸击穿阈值有关。(3)闪电的水平、垂直范围和面积均与小电荷区的尺度息息相关,小电荷区的几何特征限制了闪电的空间特征。(4)电荷区的分布也显著影响着闪电的发展形态,各电荷背景下闪电初始先导角度的分布范围和集中区域有所差异。相较于电荷区倾向于为扁平椭圆形的情况,当电荷区垂直与水平尺度相等时,初始先导角度变化范围明显增大,水平发展的个例明显增多。

DDW1型闪电定位仪数据质量分析评估

文章分析了DDW1型闪电定位仪的探测原理,通过分析江苏省DDW1型闪电定位仪试运行期间的雷电数据,并对比DDW1型与ADTD型闪电定位仪的雷电探测类别与数量。结果表明:除个别站点因网络问题导致传输数据到报率略低外,其余站点数据到报率均达到99%;与ADTD型闪电定位仪相比,DDW1型闪电定位仪灵敏度更高,所探测到的正闪数量是ADTD型闪电定位仪的5.8倍,负闪数量二者相差不大,DDW1型闪电定位仪正闪与负闪比为1∶1.8。研究结果为DDW1型闪电定位仪的推广应用奠定基础。

基于人工引雷数据的闪电探测效率及精度评估

利用在山东滨州沾化区人工引雷实验得到的2017-2020年30次闪电数据,对比分析ADTD闪电定位系统在人工引雷场地及其相似地区的定位效率、定位精度及电流峰值偏差。结果表明ADTD对人工引雷触发闪电事件定位效率为60%(即18/30),回击闪电定位效率为88.89%(即8/9),回击过程定位效率34.48%(10/29),ICC闪电定位效率47.62%(10/21)。定位精度31.724 km,负地闪定位精度高于正地闪,2站以上定位精度高于2站定位。电流峰值偏差36.38%。

永暑机场K/XDD01型机场雷电监测定位系统的综合应用及展望

文章以永暑机场单站的K/XDD01型机场雷电监测定位系统为例,分析了其在永暑机场的实际应用,总结了永暑机场发生稳定型降水、一定距离的闪电和过顶雷暴3种常见雷电类型时大气电场强度的变化规律。在临近预报中综合应用LLX06SDN型天气雷达探测资料,归纳得出K/XDD01雷电监测定位系统的优缺点:虽然能够很好地反映雷电发生的大致方位,但定位精度较低,特别是测定距离较为离散;对处于发展状态的雷暴云体监控预警能力突出;对远距离的弱放电及近距离雷电监测能力较弱;由于方位测定方面的设计缺陷,存在0°、90°、180°及270°四个方位上发的识别盲区。并结合工作实际,对K/XDD01型机场雷电监测定位系统的未来使用进行了展望。