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Lightning
Detecting Lightning
NSSL scientists know that field observations of electricity in thunderstorms are critical to our understanding of lightning. Scientists are looking for ways to maximize the use of existing observing systems in forecast operations, and have also developed their instruments to target specific types of observations.
Field Programs
Field projects are critical to our understanding of lightning and use many of the observing systems described in the "Detecting Lightning" section, above.
Lightning Climatology
Studying the climatology surrounding thunderstorms helps us understand storm morphology and evolution for individual events. It also helps us pinpoint areas and conditions that create higher risks for lightning injuries.
Numerical Simulations of Lightning
NSSL scientists are using numerical models of thunderstorms that include lightning parameterizations to see if there are correlations between the total number of flashes and the strength of the updraft and the volume of hail present in the storm.
Assimilating Lightning Data into Mesoscale Forecast Models
NSSL scientists are studying how including lightning observations in mesoscale forecast models could improve the forecasts of initial conditions. Lightning data could be important because it can pinpoint the location of current convection and may be a measure of its intensity. Using lightning data could also improve the effects of prior convection on the initial conditions of the forecast period.
