Lightning-Warning Systems for Use by Airports (2008) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 45-51
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From page 45... ...
Lightning warning systems in the United States are generally based on lightning observations from the national lightning detection networks, primarily the NLDN. These systems are a national resource and provide high-accuracy location of cloud-to-ground lightning strokes from Seattle to Miami and from Maine to San Diego.
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From page 46... ...
. To respond to this developing storms hazard, high-end lightning detection systems typically augment the NLDN observations with locally installed EFMs, which can detect the buildup of the local electric field that normally precedes lightning.
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From page 47... ...
While it is also possible to identify and track areas of lightning activity, lightning "cells" are composed of individual, discrete lightning strokes and are more difficult to define and harder to track. While radar and lightning cells are clearly linked, it is important to remember that the radar echo boundaries do not always coincide with the limits for lightning strikes, as exemplified by the "bolt from the blue" phenomena discussed in Chapter 1.
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From page 48... ...
Measurement systems that can detect and locate both CG and IC lightning are termed total lightning systems. CG lightning strikes are predominantly vertically orientated and can be associated with a single geographical position, essentially their impact point.
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From page 49... ...
In practice, validation studies have made use of photographic or video imagery from multiple viewing angles and by rocket triggered lightning strikes. This means that validation testing is a time-consuming, expensive effort, with each study concentrating on a single geographical area.
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From page 50... ...
While the details of the dissemination system are still being developed, it is likely that the GLM will provide information on the location and extent of lightning discharges, including two-dimensional flash density products. From geostationary orbit, the instrument is expected to provide gridded data sets with a grid size of about 8 km.
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From page 51... ...
To the extent possible, we urge airports and airlines that operate lightning detection and warning systems to collaborate with research efforts designed to test or enhance warning products by granting researchers access to monitor the performance of their installed operational systems and observe ramp operations. Lightning is but one of many weather factors causing economic loss for the airlines.
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