Lightning Cessation Guidance for the Washington, D.C., Area

Polarimetric radar data and total lightning data from the Washington, D.C., Lightning Mapping Array (DCLMA) are used to develop lightning cessation guidance for isolated cells in the Washington, D.C., area. Radar and lightning data are superimposed using the Warning Decision Support System - Integrated Information (WDSS-II) software to develop cessation algorithms. The DCLMA detects very high frequency sources of radiation emitted by lightning flashes and WDSS-II displays the three-dimensional channels using an embedded flash algorithm. The Hydrometeor Classification Algorithm (HCA) also is used to locate graupel in the isolated cells. The goal of this project is to analyze the presence of graupel at different temperature levels in the mixed phase region of a storm (-20^oC to 0^oC) in correspondence to the last flash detected. Using these observations, wait time algorithms will be developed to test the reliability of polarimetric radar parameters for safely ending lightning advisories for the public.