World-Wide Lightning-Location Network:

WWLLN & Tropical-Cyclone Monitoring

Natalia Solorzano

Jeremy Thomas

Robert Holzworth

Reported by: Abram R. (“Abe”) Jacobson, ESS/UW

(Earth & Space Sciences,University of Washington)

WWLLN – CG STROKE DETECTION EFFICIENCY

Variation in the WWLLN CG stroke detection efficiency with NZLDN Variation in the WWLLN CG stroke detection efficiency with NZLDN determined return stroke peak current for the old and new algorithms determined return stroke peak current for the old and new algorithms (Rodger et al., 2009)(Rodger et al., 2009)

WLLNN location accuracy for NargisWLLNN location accuracy for Nargis

Rodger et al., 2009

HURRICANE RITA – Category 5,HURRICANE RITA – Category 5, Sept. 21 and 22, 2005 Sept. 21 and 22, 2005 Max. intensity increase:

Sept. 21, 2005

Similar results: Squires, 2006Similar results: Squires, 2006

EYEWALL LIGHTNING

Rita: max. intensity increase Sept. 21, 2005

Rita: Sept. 21, 14:00 – Rita: Sept. 21, 14:00 – 15:00 UT15:00 UT

Shao, 2005: 14-15 UTC

WWLLN14-15 UTC

Hurricane Katrina – Category 5Hurricane Katrina – Category 5

Max. intensity increase: Aug. 28, 2005

KatrinaKatrina

EYEWALL LIGHTNING:Max. intensity increase: 08/28/2005

Katrina- 08/28/2005Katrina- 08/28/2005

Shao, 2005 – (1) 17:30 – 19:30 UT

(2) 21:30 – 23:30 UTWWLLN:

Hurricane Wilma – Category 5

Max. intensity increase: 10/19/2005

Wilma – Eyewall lightning

Durian - SupertyphoonDurian - Supertyphoon

EYEWALL LIGHTNING

Typhoon – Supertyphoon ChanchuTyphoon – Supertyphoon Chanchu

EYEWALL LIGHTNING

Max. intensity increase: May 14, 2006

Similar results: Squires and Businger, 2008 using LR-NLDNSimilar results: Squires and Businger, 2008 using LR-NLDN

WWLLN EYEWALL LIGHTNING (< 100 km from storm center)

Rita: max. intensity increase Sept. 21, 2005

NARGIS - APRIL 30, 2008NARGIS - APRIL 30, 2008

Nargis eyewall lightning (<100 km from storm center) and max. sustained Nargis eyewall lightning (<100 km from storm center) and max. sustained

windswinds

Apr 27, 21 Z

Apr 28, 12 Z

Apr 28, 18 Z

Apr 29, 00 Z

Nargis eyewall lightning (<100 km from storm center) and Nargis eyewall lightning (<100 km from storm center) and

max. sustained windsmax. sustained winds

Apr 29, 18 Z

April 30, 17:30 Z

May 01, 09:00 Z

May 01, 23:00 Z

Prior to intensification

Prior to intensification

Intensification

Weakening

NARGIS APRIL 30, 17:00 UTNARGIS APRIL 30, 17:00 UT

These lightning are pinpointing the region of active convection in the eyewall. These lightning are pinpointing the region of active convection in the eyewall. This active convection area is This active convection area is not evident by examining only the infrared datanot evident by examining only the infrared data, which show a large area of cold cloud-tops in the inner , which show a large area of cold cloud-tops in the inner core. The subsequent rapid strengthening of Nargis was underestimated by forecasters who relied mostly on core. The subsequent rapid strengthening of Nargis was underestimated by forecasters who relied mostly on infrared satellite images and did not use lightning data .infrared satellite images and did not use lightning data .

TRMM IMAGESTRMM IMAGESTRMM 85

GHz 18:31 Z

METEOSAT IR 18 Z

WWLLN17:30-18:30 Z

TRMM APR 30, 03 Z – Prior to MAIN

INTENSIFICATION