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Temporal and spatial evolution of precipitation under the sprite parent thunderstorm system on 22 July 2013 in Japan
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  • Tomoyuki Suzuki,
  • Masashi Kamogawa,
  • Hironobu Fujiwara,
  • Syugo HAYASHI
Tomoyuki Suzuki
University of Shizuoka

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Masashi Kamogawa
University of Shizuoka
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Hironobu Fujiwara
JSG High School
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Syugo HAYASHI
Meteorological Research Institute /JMA
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Abstract

Six sprites were observed on 22 July 2013 from Mt. Fuji (3776 m above sea level), Japan. Five of six sprite-producing positive cloud-to-ground strikes (SP +CGs) occurred in the stratiform region, while one SP +CG occurred in the convective region. Time sequences and horizontal evolution of precipitation between these regions with sprites were analyzed. Prior to the first five sprites, the areal amount of strong precipitation (≥8 mm/h) increased considerably. However, such an increase did not occur with the sixth sprite. The sprites occurred at the local peaks in strong precipitation rate with respect to total precipitation. The rise time to the first peak with the first sprite was 80 minutes, while the rise time to the last peak with the sixth sprite was 30 minutes. These temporal differences until peaks may indicate that the charging mechanisms due to precipitation are different between the stratiform and convective regions.