Recent Developments With the New Mexico Tech Lightning Mapping Array

Lightning mapping arrays (LMAs) are being operated by NASA in northern Alabama, by the University of Oklahoma and National Severe Storms Laboratory in central Oklahoma, and at Langmuir Laboratory and most recently at White Sands Missile Range in central and south-central New Mexico. In addition we have been developing a portable mapping system for use in field and demonstration programs. Data from the permanently-installed systems are being processed in real time and, in addition to research studies, are being used or are starting to be used in weather nowcasting applications. New metric-based code and algorithms have been developed for optimally processing the time-of-arrival measurements, which provide better solutions in less time than our previous code and have given us new insights into the basic processing issues. We are continuing to develop new techniques and approaches for analyzing the mapping data, such as using them to infer storm charge structure and for determining the direction and speed of initial breakdown of individual flashes, and combining the results with simple theoretical models for electrification and lightning initiation studies. We have also been working to obtain detailed pictures of individual lightning discharges using a compact array having 10-microsecond time resolution at Langmuir Laboratory and to combine these data with slow and fast electric field change measurements to advance our understanding of basic breakdown processes. Finally, the portable LMA will provide new and unique opportunities for studies of convective storms and lightning, such as fully mobile field campaigns, studies of lightning initiation in conjunction with cosmic ray and high energy particle observations, and the development of techniques and systems for monitoring lightning in urban and noisy metropolitan areas.