Dynamical, Microphysical and Electrical Studies of Convection in STEPS

本文研究了2000年初夏在堪萨斯州西部进行的STEPS （Severe雷暴电气化和降水研究）观测到的雷暴电气化与云的微物理和运动学特性之间的关系。数据来自飞机、雷达、探空气球和闪电测绘网。特别注意以云内闪电或正向云对地闪电为主的风暴。这些类型的异常闪电似乎与强雷暴有关，可能是风暴严重程度的指标。具体研究的例子包括：(1)将雷达风暴结构、大冰雹和龙卷风与正云对地闪电的产生联系起来；(2)确定大冰雹在风暴通电中的作用；(3)评估解释异常闪电的机制。该项目将有助于更好地了解风暴电气化，并找到监测和预测风暴强度的新方法。

This research focuses on the relation between thunderstorm electrification and the microphysical and kinematic properties of clouds as observed during STEPS (Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study) planned for the early summer of 2000 in western Kansas. Data from aircraft, radar, sounding balloons, and a lightning-mapping network are employed. Special attention is directed to storms that exhibit predominant intra-cloud lightning or positive cloud-to-ground lightning. These kinds of anomalous lightning appear to be associated with severe thunderstorms and may be indicators of storm severity. Examples of specific studies include (1) relating radar storm structure, large hail, and tornadoes to the production of positive cloud-to-ground lightning; (2) determining the role of large hail in storm electrification; (3) evaluating mechanisms that have been proposed to explain anomalous lightning. This project will lead to a better understanding of storm electrification and to new ways of monitoring and predicting storm intensity.