Remote Sensing of Electric Fields Observed Within Winter Precipitation During the 2020 Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast‐Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) Field Campaign

Schultz, Christopher J.; Harkema, Sebastian S.; Mach, Douglas M.; Bateman, Monte; Lang, Timothy J.; Heymsfield, Gerald M.; McLinden, Matthew; Li, Lihua; Poellot, Michael R.; Sand, Kendra

doi:10.1029/2021jd034704

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Furthermore, 54 hPa simulated electric fields in those vertical profiles were approximately 80 and 60 V m −1 , respectively. These magnitudes were comparable to observed electric fields on 7 February 2020 (Schultz et al., 2021). When examining the charging processes (i.e., non‐inductive and inductive) within Figures 6 and 9 locations, both the non‐inductive and inductive charge separation rates were several magnitudes lower compared to the individual and total charge densities within the vertical profiles.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Furthermore, Schultz et al. (2021) determined that these enhanced electric fields coincide with observed in‐cloud electrification as evident in differential reflectivity depolarization streaks (e.g., Kumjian, 2013). However, Schultz et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Lightning flashes were observed during the 7 February 2020 snowstorm but occurred outside of sampling domain for the science flights (not shown). During this science flight, LIP was measuring electric fields as high as 80 V m −1 which were the highest recorded during the 2020 NASA IMPACTS field deployment (Schultz et al., 2021). Schultz et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Schultz et al. (2021) found that electric field measurements—sampled at an altitude of ∼20 km—from NASA IMPACTS were as high as 80 V m −1 above non‐lightning producing winter clouds and were horizontally co‐located with in‐situ observations with periods of ice supersaturation and enhancements of SCLW. Electrification was also observed in non‐riming environments and provides support to the non‐riming collision mechanism (Dye & Bansemer, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, Schultz et al (2021) determined that these enhanced electric fields coincide with observed in-cloud electrification as evident in differential reflectivity depolarization streaks (e.g., Kumjian, 2013). However, Schultz et al (2021) did not quantitatively examine their results with respect to ice crystal growth regimes, hydrometeor collision rates, and the underlying ice crystal concentrations collected during the field deployments.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrification Within Wintertime Stratiform Regions Sampled During the 2020/2022 NASA IMPACTS Field Campaign

Harkema,

Carey,

Schultz

et al. 2023

JGR Atmospheres

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Two nor'easter events—sampled during the NASA Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast‐Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign—were examined to characterize the microphysics in relation to the underlying electrification processes within wintertime stratiform regions. A theoretical model was developed to determine whether accretion or diffusion growth regimes were preferential during periods of greatest electrification. Model simulation with electrification parameterization was used to provide supplemental context to the physical processes of in‐cloud microphysics and electrification. The strongest electric fields (i.e., ∼80 V m−1 at 20 km) during the 2020 NASA IMPACTS deployment was associated with large non‐rimed ice crystals colliding with each other. During the 29–30 January 2022 science flight, the NASA P‐3 microphysical probe data demonstrated that non‐inductive charging was possible off the coastline of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Later in the science flight, when the NASA P‐3 and ER‐2 were coordinating with each other, measured electric fields consistently were less than 8 V m−1 and electrification was subdued owing to reduced concentrations of graupel and large ice hydrometeors. Altogether, the in‐situ observations provide evidence for the non‐riming collisional charging mechanism and demonstrates that graupel and supercooled liquid water may not be necessary for weak electrification within wintertime stratiform regions. Model output from simulation of both events suggested that the main synoptic snowbands were associated with elevated hydrometeor snow charge density and electric fields.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrification Within Wintertime Stratiform Regions Sampled During the 2020/2022 NASA IMPACTS Field Campaign

Harkema,

Carey,

Schultz

et al. 2023

JGR Atmospheres

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Explicitly Resolving Lightning and Electrification Processes From the 10–12 April 2019 Thundersnow Outbreak

Harkema,

Mansell,

Fierro

et al. 2024

JGR Atmospheres

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The 10–12 April 2019 thundersnow (i.e., lightning within snowfall) outbreak was examined via ground‐ and space‐based lightning observations and was simulated using a numerical weather prediction model with an explicit electrification parameterization. When compared to observations, the simulation propagated the synoptic snowband two to six hours faster while also exaggerating the 3‐D reflectivity structure. Throughout the event, the simulation produced 1,733 thundersnow flashes which was less than what was observed by ground‐ and space‐based lightning sensors. In general, simulated thundersnow flashes were spatially offset from the largest reflectivities within the synoptic snowband and tended to occur within elevated convection that traversed isentropically along the top of mid‐level frontogenesis. These simulated thundersnow flashes were associated with a tripole charge structure with ice/snow hydrometeors contributing most to the main negative charge region. Both simulated and observed thundersnow flashes initiated in conditionally unstable environments. Lastly, a conceptual model was developed to explain the spatial separation between the largest reflectivities in the snowband and the occurrence of thundersnow. It is hypothesized that the spatial offset of thundersnow initiation from the reflectivity cores within the synoptic snowband arose from a thermal circulation—induced by mid‐level frontogenesis—that advects positively charged ice/snow hydrometeors toward the surface and creates a nearly homogeneous vertical charge structure.

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Chasing Snowstorms: The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) Campaign

McMurdie

Heymsfield

Yorks

et al. 2022

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

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The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) is a NASA-sponsored field campaign to study wintertime snowstorms focusing on East Coast cyclones. This large cooperative effort takes place during the winters of 2020 – 2023 to study precipitation variability in winter cyclones to improve remote sensing and numerical forecasts of snowfall. Snowfall within these storms is frequently organized in banded structures on multiple scales. The causes for the occurrence and evolution of a wide spectrum of snowbands remain poorly understood. The goals of IMPACTS are to characterize the spatial and temporal scales and structures of snowbands, understand their dynamical, thermodynamical and microphysical processes, and apply this understanding to improve remote sensing and modeling of snowfall. The first deployment took place in January – February 2020 with two aircraft that flew coordinated flight patterns and sampled a range of storms from the Midwest to the East Coast. The satellite-simulating ER-2 aircraft flew above the clouds and carried a suite of remote sensing instruments including cloud and precipitation radars, lidar, and passive microwave radiometers. The insitu P-3 aircraft flew within the clouds and sampled environmental and microphysical quantities. Ground-based radar measurements from the National Weather Service network and a suite of radars located on Long Island, NY, along with supplemental soundings and the New York State mesonet ground network provided environmental context for the airborne observations. Future deployments will occur during the 2022 and 2023 winters. The coordination between remote sensing and in situ platforms makes this a unique publicly available dataset applicable to a wide variety of interests.

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Remote Sensing of Electric Fields Observed Within Winter Precipitation During the 2020 Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast‐Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) Field Campaign

Abstract: Lightning is commonly used to indicate the presence of heavy snowfall potential in winter cyclones because there is a common microphysical environment that enhances both dendritic growth of ice crystals (IC) and cloud electrification (e.g.

Cited by 6 publications

References 70 publications

Electrification Within Wintertime Stratiform Regions Sampled During the 2020/2022 NASA IMPACTS Field Campaign

Electrification Within Wintertime Stratiform Regions Sampled During the 2020/2022 NASA IMPACTS Field Campaign

Explicitly Resolving Lightning and Electrification Processes From the 10–12 April 2019 Thundersnow Outbreak

Chasing Snowstorms: The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) Campaign

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