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Utilizing Four Dimensional Lightning And Dual-Polarization Radar To Develop Lightning Initiation Forecast Guidance, Andrew J. Travis
Utilizing Four Dimensional Lightning And Dual-Polarization Radar To Develop Lightning Initiation Forecast Guidance, Andrew J. Travis
Theses and Dissertations
Lightning initiation is a major forecast challenge faced by Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS), which provides weather support to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Prior studies by Thurmond (2014) and Woodard (2011) have shown that dual-polarization (DP) radar can be used to identify the presence of hydrometeors indicative of cloud charging, leading to improved lightning initiation forecasts. The 45 WS currently employs empirical lightning initiation forecast rules which state that in-cloud lightning is likely when radar reflectivity meets or exceeds 37.0 dBZ above the -10°C height. This study examined 249 convective cells from …