Abstract
AbstractThe dependence of lightning frequency on the life cycle of an idealized tropical cyclone (TC) was investigated using a three-dimensional meteorological model coupled with an explicit lightning model. To investigate this dependence, an idealized numerical simulation covering the initial state to the steady state (SS) of an idealized TC was conducted. The simulation was consistent with the temporal evolution of lightning frequency reported by previous observational studies. Our analyses showed that the dependence originates from changes in the types of convective cloud with lightning over the life cycle of the TC. Before rapid intensification (RI) and in the early stage of RI, convective cloud cells that form under high-convective available potential energy (CAPE) conditions are the main contributors to lightning. As the TC reaches the late stage of RI and approaches SS, the secondary circulation becomes prominent and convective clouds in the eyewall region alongside the secondary circulation gradually become the main contributors to the lightning. In the convective cloud cells formed under high-CAPE conditions, upward velocity is strong and large charge density is provided through noninductive charge separation induced by graupel collisions. This large charge density frequently induces lightning in the clouds. On the other hand, the vertical velocity in the eyewall is weak, and it tends to contribute to lightning only when the TC reaches the mature stage. Our analyses imply that the maximum lightning frequency that occurs before the maximum intensity of a TC corresponds to the stage of a TC’s life cycle in which convective cloud cells are generated most frequently and moisten the upper troposphere.
Highlights
Tropical cyclones (TCs) often lead to extensive destruction through strong winds, heavy rain, storm surges, and thunderstorms
We should note again that the model lightning frequency was defined as the number of times that the neutralization scheme was called in the model during the output interval (i.e., 30 min in this study) and does not correspond to the lightning frequency recorded from observations [e.g., World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN), NDLN, and Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM)]
The results described above support the temporal evolution of lightning frequency through the life cycle of a TC reported in a previous observational study by Price et al (2009)
Summary
Tropical cyclones (TCs) often lead to extensive destruction through strong winds, heavy rain, storm surges, and thunderstorms. Over the past two decades, the scientific community has focused on the lightning that accompanies TCs; observational studies have reported several basic characteristics of this phenomenon. Using data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NDLN) and the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN), respectively, Molinari et al (1999) and Abarca et al (2011) found that lightning is more active in the outer region of TCs than in the inner core region. Cecil and Zipser (2002) and Cecil et al (2002) reported a contrast between the outer region and the inner core region. Denotes content that is immediately available upon publication as open access Using data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NDLN) and the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN), respectively, Molinari et al (1999) and Abarca et al (2011) found that lightning is more active in the outer region of TCs than in the inner core region. Cecil and Zipser (2002) and Cecil et al (2002) reported a contrast between the outer region and the inner core region
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