An Analysis of the Performance of the Houston Lightning Mapping Array during a Period of Intense Convection over the Houston Metropolitan Area during Hurricane Harvey

The observed lightning activity from Tropical Storm Harvey was well within the confines of the Houston Lightning Mapping Array (HLMA) Network which was operational under the extreme circumstances. The HLMA recorded several million very high frequency (VHF) source points during the 26-27 August 2017 period when an intense rain band had developed. Not only was there a strong correlation between the lightning and precipitation rate/intensity, but there was also a curious pattern of lightning activity "hotspots". The Houston Metropolitan area is home to several refineries, chemical plants, and industrial service companies which may have provided a boost in cloud microphysics for storm invigoration and enhanced cloud electrification. Thus, this study seeks to assess the lightning behavior as seen through the eyes of the HLMA as well as examine the dynamic, thermodynamic, and microphysical processes that likely contributed to the observed enhanced lightning activity.