A high-resolution simulation of microphysics and electrification in an idealized hurricane-like vortex

Abstract

Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning bursts in the eyewall of mature tropical cyclones (TCs) are believed to be good indicators of imminent intensification of these systems. While numerous well-documented observational cases exist in the literature, no modeling studies of the electrification processes within TCs have previously been conducted. At present, little is known about the evolution of charge regions and lightning activity in mature TCs. Towards this goal, a numerical cloud model featuring a 12-class bulk microphysics scheme with electrification and lightning processes is utilized to investigate the evolution of the microphysics fields and subsequent electrical activity in an idealized hurricane-like vortex.