A three-dimensional charge^lischarge numerical model is used, in a semi-idealized mode, to simulate a thunder- storm cell. Characteristics of the granpel microphysics and vertical air motion associated with the lightn...A three-dimensional charge^lischarge numerical model is used, in a semi-idealized mode, to simulate a thunder- storm cell. Characteristics of the granpel microphysics and vertical air motion associated with the lightning initiation are revealed, which could be useful in retrieving charge strength during lightning when no charge^diseharge model is available, The results show that the vertical air motion at the lightning initiation sites （Wini） has a cubic polynomial correlation with the maximum updraft of the storm cell （WceH_m^x）, with the adjusted regression coefficient R2 of ap- proximately 0.97. Meanwhile, the graupel mixing ratio at the lightning initiation sites （qg-ini） has a linear correlation with the maximum graupel mixing ratio of the storm cell （qg-cell-max） and the initiation height （Zini）, with the coeffi- cients being 0.86 and 0.85, respectively. These linear correlations are more significant during the middle and late stages of lightning activity. A zero-charge zone, namely, the area with very low net charge density between the main positive and negative charge layers, appears above the area of qg-oewm and below the upper edge of the granpel re- gion, and is found to be an important area for lightning initiation. Inside the zero-charge zone, large electric intensity forms, and the ratio of qice （ice crystal mixing ratio） to qg （graupel mixing ratio） illustrates an exponential relation- ship to qg-ini. These relationships provide valuable clues to more accurately locating the high-risk area of lightning initiation in thunderstorms when only dual-polarization radar data or outputs from numerical models without char- ging/discharging schemes are available. The results can also help understand the environmental conditions at light- ning initiation sites.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41675001 and 41405004)National(Key)Basic Research and Development(973)Program of China(2014CB441406)Basic Research Funds of Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences(2016Z002 and 2017Z003)
文摘A three-dimensional charge^lischarge numerical model is used, in a semi-idealized mode, to simulate a thunder- storm cell. Characteristics of the granpel microphysics and vertical air motion associated with the lightning initiation are revealed, which could be useful in retrieving charge strength during lightning when no charge^diseharge model is available, The results show that the vertical air motion at the lightning initiation sites （Wini） has a cubic polynomial correlation with the maximum updraft of the storm cell （WceH_m^x）, with the adjusted regression coefficient R2 of ap- proximately 0.97. Meanwhile, the graupel mixing ratio at the lightning initiation sites （qg-ini） has a linear correlation with the maximum graupel mixing ratio of the storm cell （qg-cell-max） and the initiation height （Zini）, with the coeffi- cients being 0.86 and 0.85, respectively. These linear correlations are more significant during the middle and late stages of lightning activity. A zero-charge zone, namely, the area with very low net charge density between the main positive and negative charge layers, appears above the area of qg-oewm and below the upper edge of the granpel re- gion, and is found to be an important area for lightning initiation. Inside the zero-charge zone, large electric intensity forms, and the ratio of qice （ice crystal mixing ratio） to qg （graupel mixing ratio） illustrates an exponential relation- ship to qg-ini. These relationships provide valuable clues to more accurately locating the high-risk area of lightning initiation in thunderstorms when only dual-polarization radar data or outputs from numerical models without char- ging/discharging schemes are available. The results can also help understand the environmental conditions at light- ning initiation sites.
