Lightning Activities in SPoRT

Lightning Activities in SPoRT: presented at SPoRT Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting Huntsville, AL 12-14 June 2007 1

transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to the NWStransitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to the NWS

Lightning Activities in SPoRTLightning Activities in SPoRT

presented at the

SPoRT Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting

12-14 June 2007

Richard J. Blakeslee, NASA/MSFC

Dennis E. Buechler, UAH



Outline of PresentationsOutline of Presentations

• Overview of Lightning Activities

• Review of Some Current Activities– North Alabama and DC Lightning Mapping– NWS Lightning Assessments (D. Buechler)

– Patrick Gatlin M.S. Thesis Results (D. Buechler)

(note: WRF Lightning Threat Forecast will be presented in Modeling session)



Overview of Lightning Overview of Lightning ActivitiesActivities

RelevanceRelevance (Lightning Activities in SPoRT) (Lightning Activities in SPoRT)

SPoRT Mission: A NASA-NWS collaborative activity to use and transition unique NASA data and earth science research to improve the accuracy of short-term (0-24 hr) weather prediction.

Lightning program supports SPoRT in two key ways– Directly (research designed for and/or funded by SPoRT)

• Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) data into AWIPS

• WRF Lightning Threat forecast (B. McCaul)

• Graduate research (e.g., P. Gatlin’s “Lightning Jump”)

– Closely Aligned Research (not SPoRT, but similar goals)• GOES-R Risk Reduction (GOES-R3) for Geostationary Lightning

Mapper (GLM), GLM algorithm development, ARMOR, Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT), associated graduate research studies




Relevance Relevance (SPoRT in Lightning Activities)(SPoRT in Lightning Activities)

Lightning Activities: Provide proxy data to develop algorithms and benchmark the use of total lightning data in the forecast office that will result in early on-orbit operational use of the GLM data stream.

SPoRT supports Lightning program– Customer Interaction

• Work with forecasters to understand forecast issues and develop techniques that directly address them

• All have vested interest in achieving a solution (Ownership)

– Provide Test-bed environment• Potential solutions refined, validated and benchmarked before

transitioning the process to the operational environment

– Assess the Forecast Impact– Provide training on new capability




Status since last SAC Meeting Status since last SAC Meeting (Nov 21-22, 2005)(Nov 21-22, 2005)– DC Metropolitan Lightning Mapping Demonstration (i.e.,

DC Demo or DC LMA)• Recommended 2005 (Southern Thunder Alliance, SAC)• Funded as two year demonstration (NOAA/NESDIS GOES-R)• Deployed Summer 2006, Operations leveraged off SPoRT• Public Web (Dec 2006, model for North Alabama LMA)

– North Alabama LMA • LMA Assessments (Local, Dallas FW WFOs)• 2 WES cases provided to S. Region library (many local cases avail.)

– Graduate Research• 1 M.S. thesis completed (P. Gatlin on “lightning jump” and tornado

genesis and severe weather) – SPoRT Funded• 2 Ph.D. dissertations (W. Deierling on lightning/Ice flux relationships

and M. Gauthier on lightning/environment relationships)




Status since last SAC MeetingStatus since last SAC Meeting (cont.)(cont.)– GOES-R Risk Reduction (GOES-R3) Activities

• Formally Initiated 2006• Generation of proxy GLM data set underway using Lightning

Imaging Sensor (LIS) and VHF LMA data• Graduate research addressing specific science questions/issues

– GOES-R GLM Algorithm Development • Initiated May 2007• Tasks, schedule, funding being defined

– Conferences and Workshops• SPoRT lightning science presented at AGU (2005,2006), AMS

(2006, 2007), SPoRT SOO Workshop (2006), LIS International Workshop (2006), JPDO (2006, Next Gen ATS)

– GOES-N Test• Dec 2006, participated but no lightning occurred)




Status since last SAC MeetingStatus since last SAC Meeting (cont.)(cont.)– Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational

Research (ARMOR) (on-going and future research)• Infusion of real time ARMOR polarimetric data stream directly into

AWIPS to facilitate 3-D overlay of LMA and dual-pol variables (COMET)

• ARMOR-LMA Huntsville Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) study of southeastern U.S. severe storms and lightning (NOAA)

• Study of updraft statistics and lightning jump signature using LMA and ARMOR-88D dual-Doppler analysis; related to multi-parameter microphysical retrieval (GLM, NOAA HWT)

• Analysis of lightning physics/electrical breakdown (LMA) relative to hydrometeor characteristics (ARMOR, TRMM)

• ARMOR Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) as related to LMA lightning flash activity; updraft volume and ice flux studies; data set collection for convective and lightning initiation/prediction (NOAA HWT, GLM, TRMM, PMM)



Future Plans Future Plans (1-5 year time frame)(1-5 year time frame)

– Lightning Mapping Array operations (partially SPoRT funded)(partially SPoRT funded)• Continue assessments, support GLM GOES-R3 / Algorithm dev. • Portable LMA stations available (e.g., land-falling hurricanes, winter

storms, DC3)

– WRF Lightning Threat Forecasts (SPoRT funded)(SPoRT funded)• Continue to refine, transition to operations

– GOES-R Risk Reduction (GOES-R3) Activities• Use proxy GLM data sets to help develop algorithms and benchmark benchmark

the use of total lightning data in the forecast officethe use of total lightning data in the forecast office (support early on-orbit operational use of the GLM data stream )

– GOES-R GLM Algorithm Development (deliverable 2010)• Pursue development / testing of identified algorithms• Algorithms include Lightning Jump SignatureLightning Jump Signature, Lightning Warning Lightning Warning

(first CG)(first CG), Cell TrackingCell Tracking, QPEQPE, Clustering (events, groups, flashes, storms), Filtering (as necessary), Photgrammetric

– Related Research (ARMOR, HWT, grad studies, other)




Backup Slides




GLM ObjectivesGLM Objectives (Mission Requirements)(Mission Requirements)

– Provide continuous, full-disk lightning measurements for storm warning and nowcasting.

– Provide early warning of tornadic activity.– Accumulate a long-term database to track

decadal changes [of lightning].




GLM Applications and BenefitsGLM Applications and Benefits• Predict the onset of tornadoes, hail, microbursts, flash floods• Track thunderstorms and warn of approaching lightning threats• Improve airline routing around thunderstorms; improving safety,

saving fuel, and reducing delays; TAFs• Provide real-time hazardous weather information, improving the

efficiency of emergency management• NWP/ Data Assimilation• Multi-sensor precipitation algorithms• Locate lightning strikes known to cause forest fires and reduce

response times• Assess role of thunderstorms and deep convection in global climate• Provide new data source to improve air quality / chemistry forecasts

Documents

Lightning Activities in SPoRT