Emerging Applications of the LMA to Meteorology and Nowcasting

As Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) data become increasingly available to forecasters in real-time situations, the applications of total lightning measures to meteorology and nowcasting situations are beginning to emerge. Current integrations of the LMA data stream into forecasting environments are utilizing lightning source locations in plan view, and using the auxiliary 2-dimensional lightning data to compare against radar PPI scans. Forecasters are gauging storm severity with the additional parameter of lightning activity, and using the activity to discern between situations where radar reflectivity shows similar structure and magnitude; storms with higher lightning intensity are invariably the ones to watch more closely when other parameters show little difference. Additional characteristics in the 2-dimensional data can also aid in prediction: Lightning density cross-sections can show signs of rotation or lighting holes, often at the times of strong convection or just preceding tornado or funnel cloud formation. The next step is to utilize the full vertical information in the LMA data. By watching the temporal development of vertical structure in storms, episodes of increasingly high altitude lightning sources can be seen. These `convective surges' have been shown to be precursors to the onset of positive cloud-to-ground episodes in storms, tornadic onset, and lighting holes; all of which are strong indications of severity. As additional real-time implementations and techniques of analysis for the LMA data evolve and develop, the utility of using total lightning data continues to show great promise for facilitating and expediting severe weather prediction in nowcasting environments.