On the Parameterization of Lightning based on Radar Observations of Thunderstorms

In recent years, interest in a better parameterization of lightning in numerical models describing thunderstorms and related processes at various scales (mesoscale to global) has increased. The NOx-production by flashes has been recognized as an important contribution to the global NOx-budget.

This paper investigates the use of radar measurements of microphysical and dynamical storm properties for lightning parameterizations. During the EULINOX (European Lightning Nitrogen Oxides Project) field experiment simultaneous radar, lightning, aircraft and satellite measurements of thunderstorms were obtained. This data base is used for testing known parameterizations (Price and Rind) of lightning depending on cloud top height or updraft strength. Based on case study results the evolution of radar derived properties and lightning parameters inferred from different detection systems (LPATS, VHF-Interferometer, Sferics, Satellite) is demonstrated. Thus, further development of the parameterizations is investigated.

In a related paper, Dotzek et al. investigate the dependence of lightning parameters on storm microphysical properties as derived from polarimetric radar measurements for different storms. The present paper discusses the implications of these and other measurements for lightning parameterizations. Storm-scale (individual thunderstorms) as well as system-scale (larger convective complexes or squall-lines) aspects will be covered depending on the different kinds of detection systems or networks considered. Examples of the application of lightning parameterizations within a numerical thunderstorm model will be given.