A Case Study Inter-comparing MALMA and GLM
Abstract
The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) satellites continuously observes thunderstorms and lightning activity over the Americas and adjacent oceans. Due to a reduced GLM detection efficiency under certain atmospheric conditions, the GLM is best used in conjunction with other lightning datasets in densely populated areas such as DC/Maryland/Virginia, where one national and two international airports are located. The Mid-Atlantic Lightning Mapping Array (MALMA) is a multi-station very high frequency (VHF) ground-based antenna network that maps the detailed 3-D structure of lightning flashes. This study intercompares the data products from both the GLM and LMA, including the GLM Flash Extent Density (FED), Minimum Flash Area (MFA), Total Optical Energy (TOE), and the LMA Flash Density. Data from the U. S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) is used to identify the flash type. Preliminary results from these case studies will be presented to help improve lightning safety and impact-based decision making.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFMAE15B1895P