HR: 0830h
AN: AE21A-1091    [PDF]
TI: Comparison of in-situ Electric Field and Radar Derived Parameters for Stratiform Clouds in Central Florida
AU: * Bateman, M
EM: monte.bateman@msfc.nasa.gov
AF: Universities Space Research Association, 320 Sparkman Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805 United States
AU: Mach, D
EM: doug.mach@msfc.nasa.gov
AF: The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 320 Sparkman Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805 United States
AU: Lewis, S
EM: sharon@ucar.edu
AF: NCAR, P.O.Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 United States
AU: Dye, J
EM: dye@ncar.ucar.edu
AF: NCAR, P.O.Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 United States
AU: Defer, E
EM: defer@ncar.ucar.edu
AF: NCAR, P.O.Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 United States
AU: Grainger, C
EM: grainger@aero.und.edu
AF: Atmospheric Sciences Department The University of North Dakota, P.O. Box 9006, Grand Forks, ND 58202 United States
AU: Willis, P
EM: willis@aoml.noaa.gov
AF: NOAA/Hurricane Research Division, 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 United States
AU: Christian, H
EM: hugh.christian@nasa.gov
AF: NASA/MSFC, 320 Sparkman Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805 United States
AU: Merceret, F
EM: francis.j.merceret@nasa.gov
AF: NASA/KSC, NASA/YA-D, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 United States
AB: Airborne measurements of electric fields and particle microphysics were made during a field program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation II jet operated by the University of North Dakota, carried six rotating-vane style electric field mills, several microphysics instruments, and thermodynamic instruments. In addition to the aircraft measurements, we also have data from both the Eastern Test Range WSR-74C (Patrick AFB) and the U.S. National Weather Service WSR-88D radars (primarily Melbourne, FL). One specific goal of this program was to try to develop a radar-based rule for estimating the hazard that an in-cloud electric field would present to a vehicle launched into the cloud. Based on past experience, and our desire to quantify the mixed-phase region of the cloud in question, we have assessed several algorithms for integrating radar reflectivity data in and above the mixed-phase region as a proxy for electric field. A successful radar proxy is one that can accurately predict the presence or absence of significant electric fields. We have compared various proxies with the measured in-cloud electric field strength in an attempt to develop a radar rule for assessing launch hazard. Assessment of the best proxy is presented.
DE: 3304 Atmospheric electricity
DE: 3324 Lightning
DE: 6952 Radar atmospheric physics
SC: Atmospheric and Space Electricity [AE]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting