Three Dimensional Lightning Channel Mapping Network for the Houston, Texas Area

 

Abstract

We propose a program to install and operate a Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) network to map total (intracloud and cloud-to-ground) lightning in the Houston, Texas area as part of the proposed Houston Environmental Aerosol Thunderstorm (HEAT) Project. The network will map the three-dimensional path of lightning over Houston with up to 10,000 points per second, a location accuracy of 250 meters, and a detection efficiency of 90%. Both cloud-to-ground and intracloud lightning discharges will be detected. Charge layers in the clouds will be identified and the flash type determined. Continuous recordings throughout the storm will provide information on the entire storm. Lightning holes” i.e. volumetric regions of a cloud surrounded by electrical discharges, have previously been identified in severe storms (Rison et al. 2002). Animations of the lightning channel development will show whether they occur in the polluted atmospheric thunderstorms over Houston. In addition, convective surges in storms and inverted polarity discharges (Rust and MacGorman 2002), if they occur, will be detected.