Syugo Hayashi

Three-Dimensional VHF Lightning Mapping System for Winter Thunderstorms

AbstractA three-dimensional (3D) winter lightning mapping system employing very high frequency (VHF) broadband signals was developed for continuous remote observation in winter. VHF broadband pulses radiated by leader progression are received with three discone antennas arranged in a triangle (20–30 m) and recorded on a high-speed digital oscilloscope (1.25-GHz sampling) with GPS digital timing data. The two-dimensional (2D) mapping for azimuth and elevation of the VHF radiation sources was conducted by computing the arrival time differences of three pulses using a cross-correlation technique. From azimuth and elevation data from two sites extracted within a given time frame, 3D lightning mapping was performed using the triangulation scheme. An observation network for winter lightning was constructed within a comprehensive meteorological observation network in the Shonai area, which is located on the coast of the Japan Sea. This report includes the preliminary 2D and 3D mapping of winter lightning observe...

Analysis of the horizontal two-dimensional near-surface structure of a winter tornadic vortex using high-resolution in situ wind and pressure measurements

The horizontal two-dimensional near-surface structure of a tornadic vortex within a winter storm was analyzed. The tornadic vortex was observed on 10 December 2012 by the high-resolution in situ observational linear array of wind and pressure sensors (LAWPS) system in conjunction with a high-resolution Doppler radar. The 0.1 s maximum wind speed and pressure deficit near the ground were recorded as 35.3 m s−1 and −3.8 hPa, respectively. The horizontal two-dimensional distributions of the tornadic vortex wind and pressure were retrieved by the LAWPS data, which provided unprecedented observational detail on the following important features of the near-surface structure of the tornadic vortex. Asymmetric convergent inflow toward the vortex center existed. Total wind speed was strong to the right and rear side of the translational direction of the vortex and weak in the forward part of the vortex possibly because of the strong convergent inflow in that region. The tangential wind speed profile of the vortex was better approximated using a modified Rankine vortex rather than the Rankine vortex both at 5 m above ground level (agl) and 100 m agl, and other vortex models (Burgers-Rott vortex and Wood-White vortex) were also compared. The cyclostrophic wind balance was violated in the core radius R0 and outside the core radius in the forward sector; however, it was held with a relatively high accuracy of approximately 14% outside the core of the vortex in the rearward sector (from 2 R0 to 5 R0) near the ground.

Relationship between thunderstorm electrification and storm kinetics revealed by phased array weather radar

We examine 3-D lightning location data and radar data obtained through multiple radar observation stations, including two X-band phased array weather radars (PAWRs), in order to understand the relationship between thunderstorm electrification and storm kinetics. In an investigated convective cell, both intracloud (IC) and cloud-to-ground (CG) flash rates drastically change within 25 min. First, the IC flash rate shows a steep increase with a peak at 10 min−1, and then, the CG flash rate peaks 7 min afterward. During the increase phase of the IC flash rate, the radar observation indicates that the echo top height and updraft echo volume in the upper level increase. The upper positive charge regions removed by IC flashes are located in or near the updraft region at high altitudes. On the contrary, the IC flash rate decreases when the updraft at high altitudes weakens. The IC flash rate is well correlated with a proxy for updraft volume in 1 min interval comparison. These results indicate that the IC flash rate has a strong connection with updraft at high altitudes. The CG flash rate peaks when precipitation particles, probably involving graupel, from high altitudes arrive at approximately the −10°C isotherm level. We speculate that graupel from high altitudes might contribute to the initiations of CG flashes. We show an abrupt ascent of the upper positive charge region involved in IC flashes. PAWR observation results indicate that the updraft might have contributed to the ascent of the upper positive lightning charge region.

Three-dimensional lightning characteristics relative to reflectivity and airflow structure in winter thunderstorm

A winter thunderstorm was observed in the Shonai area in the northern part of Japan on 30 November 2010. Data from three-dimensional lightning mapping system and two X-band Doppler radars were used to analyze the spatial-temporal relationship between winter lightning channel, reflectivity core, and airflow structure in the thunderclouds. A lightning leader propagating from a rim of echo region to the echo region with high reflectivity involving large vertical vorticity was visualized in 3D. This result indicates that strong updraft caused by airflow convergence in the precipitation system contributed to accumulate positive charges around -10°C level and enhance vertical vorticity by stretching on the convergence line.