A Combined IR-GPS Satellite Analysis for Potential Applications in Detecting and Predicting Lightning Activity

Leo Pio D’Adderio,Alessandra Tiberia,Stefano Dietrich,Luigi Pazienza,Alessandra Mascitelli

doi:10.3390/rs12061031

Abstract

Continuous estimates of the vertical integrated precipitable water vapor content from the tropospheric delay of the signal received by the antennas of the global positioning system (GPS) are used in this paper, in conjunction with the measurements of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) spinning enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI) radiometer and with the lightning activity, collected here by the ground-based lightning detection network (LINET), in order to identify links and recurrent patterns useful for improving nowcasting applications. The analysis of a couple of events is shown here as an example of more general behavior. Clear signs appear before the peak of lightning activity on a timescale from 2 to 3 h. In particular, the lightning activity is generally preceded by a period in which the difference between SEVIRI brightness temperature (TB) at channel 5 and channel 6 (i.e., ∆TB) presents quite constant values around 0 K. This trend is accompanied by an increase in precipitable water vapor (PWV) values, reaching a maximum in conjunction with the major flash activity. The results shown in this paper evidence good potentials of using radiometer and GPS measurements together for predicting the abrupt intensification of lightning activity in nowcasting systems.

Highlights

Lightning is a natural phenomenon studied since the second half of the 18th century due to its practical and scientific interest
Continuous estimates of the vertical integrated precipitable water vapor content from the tropospheric delay of the signal received by the antennas of the global positioning system (GPS) are used in this paper, in conjunction with the measurements of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) spinning enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI) radiometer and with the lightning activity, collected here by the ground-based lightning detection network (LINET), in order to identify links and recurrent patterns useful for improving nowcasting applications
It should be pointed out that precipitable water vapor (PWV) values estimated from the local GPS signal, especially when there was the passage of atmospheric disturbances, are representative measures only for a limited area around the antenna’s location

Summary

Introduction

Lightning is a natural phenomenon studied since the second half of the 18th century due to its practical and scientific interest. If the practical aspect is mainly represented by the necessity of granting the security of people, aircrafts, and buildings, the scientific interest for a better understanding of the physics of the atmosphere is always actual. The distribution and motion of thunderstorm electric charges, most of which reside in hydrometeors (liquid or frozen water particles), are complex and change continuously as the cloud evolves. Several theories have been proposed to explain charge generation and separation inside clouds. They involve microphysical processes for different water phases [1]

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