Study of Single and Multi-Cell Storms and Their Influence on the Local Electric Field in Corpus Christi Texas.
Abstract
The study establishes a relationship between single and multi-cell storm events, and their effect on the local vertical electric potential of the atmosphere. Associations between the electrified cloud systems and the electric field (Ez) are studied using two years of electric field mill observations collected at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi from 2017 to 2019. The electric field data was collected from a Campbell Scientific CS110 field mill at a sample rate of 1 Hz. The MRMS radar data are collocated to quantify a distance squared relationship and correlated to the changing electric field. The radar derived ice mass, echo top heights at 18, 30, and 50 dBZ, as well as reflectivity at 0, -5, -10, -15, and -20o C are examined. Preliminary case studies show the strongest correlation values (r2>0.6), between the Ez and prediction parameters of reflectivity at -20o C, 30 dBZ echo top heights, and volume of 30 dBZ in the mixed phase region. These results verify the importance of mixed phased precipitation processes and mixed phase ice mass in thunderstorm electrification. Simple models are built to estimate the influence of single and multi-cell storms on the local electric field, and could be used to improve the understanding of their contribution to the global electric circuit of the atmosphere.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMAE11A3189H
- Keywords:
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- 3304 Atmospheric electricity;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 3314 Convective processes;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 3324 Lightning;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 3329 Mesoscale meteorology;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES