Anomalous electric field changes and high flash rate beneath a thunderstorm in northeast India

• Published in: Journal of Earth System Science 2010-10, Vol.119 (5), p.617-625
• Main Authors: Pawar, S. D., Murugavel, P., Gopalakrishnan, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Convective available potential energy; Discharge; Dissipation; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Electric field; Electric fields; Exact sciences and technology; Ground stations; Ground-based observation; Lightning; Lightning activity; Lightning discharges; Lightning flashes; Lightning frequencies; Potential energy; Severe weather; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Thunderstorms; Vertical distribution; Weather; Weather conditions
• ISSN: 0253-4126; 2347-4327; 0973-774X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12040-010-0040-7

In spite of many experimental and theoretical studies the relationships between storm dynamics, severe weather, and lightning activity have been least understood. Measurements of electric field made under a severe thunderstorm at a northeastern Indian station, Guwahati, India are reported. Lightning flash rate increases drastically to about 84 flashes per minute (fpm) during the active stage which lasted for about 7 minutes, from about 15 flashes per minute during the initial phase of thunderstorm. Sudden increase in lightning flash rate (‘lightning jump’) of about 65 fpm/min is also observed in the beginning of the active stage. The dissipating stage is marked by slow and steady decrease in lightning frequency. Despite very high flash rate during the active stage, no severe weather conditions are observed at the ground. It is proposed that the short duration of the active stage might be the reason for the non-observance of severe weather conditions at the ground. Analysis of Skew-t graph at Guwahati suggests that vertical distribution of Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) also may play some role in non-occurrence of severe weather at ground in spite of large lightning flash rate and lightning jump observed in this thunderstorm. Further, all electric field changes after a lightning discharge indicates the presence of strong Lower Positive Charge Centers (LPCC) in the active and dissipation stages. This suggests that LPCC plays an important role in initiation of lightning discharges in these stages.