The role of storm dynamics on lightning activity for the 19 June 2004 Mesoscale Convective System during TELEX

During the 2004 phase of the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment (TELEX), dual-Doppler radar data were collected by the Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radars (SMART-Rs) as a squall line passed through the TELEX domain. Volume scans were collected every 2.5 to 3 minutes for the period between 1252 and 1524 UTC 19 June. Lightning flashes were continuously measured and recorded by the three-dimensional Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array (OK-LMA) over the same region. In addition, four electric field meters (EFMs) were launched into the stratiform and convective regions of the MCS.

The high temporal and spatial resolution of this integrated data set provides a unique case for relating storm dynamics to cloud electrification for this class of MCS. This paper will focus on the mesoscale dynamics and its relation to lightning activity, as well as provide an overview of the storm evolution. This paper is part of a series of papers that will be presented on this case. Here, nine dual-Doppler analyses spaced 20 minutes apart will be used to document a rapid decrease and re-intensification of the convective system and the associated lightning flash rate.