Characterizing Charge Structure in Central Argentina Thunderstorms
During RELAMPAGO Utilizing a New Charge Layer Polarity Identification
Method
Abstract
A new automated method to retrieve charge layer polarity from flashes,
named Chargepol, is presented in this paper. Using data from the NASA
Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) deployed during the RELAMPAGO field
campaign in Cordoba, Argentina, from November 2018 to April 2019, this
method estimates the polarity of vertical charge distributions and their
altitudes and thicknesses (or vertical depth) using the very-high
frequency (VHF) source emissions detected by LMAs. When this method is
applied to LMA data for extended periods of time, it is capable of
inferring a storm’s bulk electrical charge structure throughout its life
cycle. This method reliably predicted the polarity of charge within
which lightning flashes propagated and was validated in comparison to
methods that require manual assignment of polarities via visual
inspection of VHF lightning sources. Examples of normal and anomalous
charge structures retrieved using Chargepol for storms in Central
Argentina during RELAMPAGO are presented for the first time. Application
of Chargepol to five months of LMA data in Central Argentina and several
locations in the United States allowed for the characterization of the
charge structure in these regions and for a reliable comparison using
the same methodology. About 13.3% of Cordoba thunderstorms were defined
by an anomalous charge structure, slightly higher than in Oklahoma
(12.5%) and West Texas (11.1%), higher than Alabama (7.3%), and
considerably lower than in Colorado (82.6%). Some of the Cordoba
anomalous thunderstorms presented enhanced low-level positive charge, a
feature rarely if ever observed in Colorado thunderstorms.