HR: 0830h
AN: AE21A-1094    [PDF]
TI: Further evidence for unconventional electrical discharges in thunderstorms
AU: * Jacobson, A R
EM: ajacobson@lanl.gov
AF: Space and Atmospheric Sciences Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Mail Stop D466, LANL, Los Alamos, NM 87545
AB: We present a statistical analysis of thunderstorm radiofrequency and optical data from the FORTE satellite to examine the relationship of strong radiofrequency pulsed emissions to more conventional signals from lightning. The study is built on a FORTE database of intracloud, pulsed radio signals from storms whose geolocation is provided either by coincidence with the FORTE optical imager or by coincidence with ground-based lightning-detection arrays. Intracloud radio emissions with peak power $>$40 kW in the FORTE low band (26-48 MHz) have unique characteristics compared to weaker emissions, including: Occurring either in isolation or at the start of leader progression, but never within a progressing leader; occurring without light emission detectable with FORTE; occurring in frequent association with a rapid (10 microsec) relaxation of the electric charge; and followed by an upward-progressing leader, in the cases where a leader is initiated. These strong intracloud radio pulses appear to be associated with an intracloud discharge process that is physically distinct from conventional leader progression.
DE: 3324 Lightning
DE: 3354 Precipitation (1854)
DE: 3360 Remote sensing
SC: Atmospheric and Space Electricity [AE]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting