Temporal and spatial evolution of precipitation under the sprite parent
thunderstorm system on 22 July 2013 in Japan
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.