East African lightning as a precursor of Atlantic hurricane activity

Price, Colin; Yair, Yoav; Asfur, Mustafa

doi:10.1029/2006gl028884

Cited by 53 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…In remote regions where conventional weather data are sparse and satellite data are either infrequent or unrevealing, tracking of thunderstorms, squall lines, and developing cyclones are important challenges in weather prediction for civilian and military purposes. Long-range lightning data from PacNet/ LLDN are not only useful in the planning of transoceanic flight routes and in the development of optimum ship tracks for ocean voyages but also for assessing the potential for intensification in tropical and extratropical cyclones (e.g., Price et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussion: Applications Of Pacnet/lldn Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Long-Range Lightning Detection Network for the Pacific: Construction, Calibration, and Performance*

Pessi

Businger

Cummins

et al. 2009

Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

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The waveguide between the earth's surface and the ionosphere allows very low-frequency (VLF) emissions generated by lightning, called sferics, to propagate over long distances. The new Pacific Lightning Detection Network (PacNet), as a part of a larger long-range lightning detection network (LLDN), utilizes this attribute to monitor lightning activity over the central North Pacific Ocean with a network of groundbased lightning detectors that have been installed on four widely spaced Pacific islands (400-3800 km). PacNet and LLDN sensors combine both magnetic direction finding (MDF) and time-of-arrival (TOA)-based technology to locate a strike with as few as two sensors. As a result, PacNet/LLDN is one of the few observing systems, outside of geostationary satellites, that provides continuous real-time data concerning convective storms throughout a synoptic-scale area over the open ocean.The performance of the PacNet/LLDN was carefully assessed. Long-range lightning flash detection efficiency (DE) and location accuracy (LA) models were developed with reference to accurate data from the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Model calibration procedures are detailed, and comparisons of model results with lightning observations from the PacNet/LLDN in correlation with NASA's Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) are presented. The daytime and nighttime flash DE in the northcentral Pacific is in the range of 17%-23% and 40%-61%, respectively. The median LA is in the range of 13-40 km. The results of this extensive analysis suggest that the DE and LA models are reasonably able to reproduce the observed performance of PacNet/LLDN.The implications of this work are that the DE and LA model outputs can be used in quantitative applications of the PacNet/LLDN over the North Pacific Ocean and elsewhere. For example, by virtue of the relationship between lightning and rainfall rates, these data also hold promise as input for NWP models as a proxy for latent heat release in convection. Moreover, the PacNet/LLDN datastream is useful for investigations of storm morphology and cloud microphysics over the central North Pacific Ocean. Notably, the PacNet/LLDN lightning datastream has application for planning transpacific flights and nowcasting of squall lines and tropical storms.

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Section: Discussion: Applications Of Pacnet/lldn Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Long-Range Lightning Detection Network for the Pacific: Construction, Calibration, and Performance*

Pessi

Businger

Cummins

et al. 2009

Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

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“…This was supported by the analysis of satellite data showing a positive connection between Mediterranean lightning activity and convective rainfall and also between the El Nino cycle and thunderstorms (Price and Federmesser 2006). The intense thunderstorms in eastern Africa influence the stability of the African Easterly waves, which ultimately may result in Atlantic hurricanes about a week later (Price et al 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 94%

Solar Activity, Lightning and Climate

Siingh

Singh

et al. 2011

Surv Geophys

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The physics of solar forcing of the climate and long term climate change is summarized, and the role of energetic charged particles (including cosmic rays) on cloud formation and their effect on climate is examined. It is considered that the cosmic raycloud cover hypothesis is not supported by presently available data and further investigations (during Forbush decreases and at other times) should be analyzed to further examine the hypothesis. Another player in climate is lightning through the production of NO x ; this greenhouse gas, water vapour in the troposphere (and stratosphere) and carbon dioxide influence the global temperature through different processes. The enhancement of aerosol concentrations and their distribution in the troposphere also affect the climate and may result in enhanced lightning activity. Finally, the roles of atmospheric conductivity on the electrical activity of thunderstorms and lightning discharges in relation to climate are discussed.

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“…This echoes the bipolar structure of higher SSTs in the South Atlantic and at the equator, and lower SSTs in the North Atlantic which has been used to explain reductions in areas affected by the monsoon (Leroux, 2001); it is consistent with observations of SSTs in the North Atlantic and the strength and location of the Azores anticyclone (Hastenrath, 1991), and similar variations in the South Atlantic anticyclone (Leroux, 2001). Other factors investigated include variations in the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) and the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ), (Leroux, 2001;Price et al, 2007), and ENSO (Ofori-Sarpong and Annor, 2001). At best ENSO is only strongly associated with rainfall in the Sahel with a non-stationary or no clear association with the Guinea Coast region (Ward et al, 2004).…”

Section: Rainfall Variability In Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%