Impact of the Vertical Velocity Field on Charging Processes and Charge Separation in a Simulated Thunderstorm

WANG Fei; ZHANG Yijun; ZHENG Dong; XU Liangtao

doi:10.1007/s13351-015-4023-0

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Impact of the Vertical Velocity Field on Charging Processes and Charge Separation in a Simulated Thunderstorm

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Corresponding author: WANG Fei

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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41205001 and 41030960), National (Key) Basic Research and Development (973) Program of China (2014CB441406), Basic Research Funds of CAMS (2012Y005 and 2013Z006), and LASW State Key Laboratory Special Fund.

DOI: 10.1007/s13351-015-4023-0

Abstract

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) charging-discharging cloud resolution model was used to investigate the impact of the vertical velocity field on the charging processes and the formation of charge structure in a strong thunderstorm. The distribution and evolution of ice particle content and charges on ice particles were analyzed in different vertical velocity fields. The results show that the ice particles in the vertical velocity range from 1 to 5 m s-1 obtained the most charge through charging processes during the lifetime of the thunderstorm. The magnitude of the charges could reach 1014 nC. Before the beginning of lightning activity, the charges produced in updraft region 2 (updraft speed 13 m s-1) and updraft region 1 (updraft speed between 5 and 13 m s-1) were relatively significant. The magnitudes of charge reached 1013 nC, which clearly impacted upon the early lightning activity. The vertical velocity conditions in the quasi-steady region (updraft speed between -1 and 1 m s-1) were the most conducive for charge separation on ice particles on different scales. Accordingly, a net charge structure always appeared in the quasi-steady and adjacent regions. Based on the results, a conceptual model of ice particle charging, charge separation, and charge structure formation in the flow field was constructed. The model helps to explain observations of the lightning hole phenomenon.
- vertical velocity field,
- charging processes,
- charge separation,
- lightning,
- cloud resolution model

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References

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WANG Fei, ZHANG Yijun, ZHENG Dong, XU Liangtao. 2015: Impact of the Vertical Velocity Field on Charging Processes and Charge Separation in a Simulated Thunderstorm. Journal of Meteorological Research, 29(2): 328-343. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-015-4023-0

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Manuscript History

Received: 16 July 2014

Revised: 15 October 2014

Final form: 27 April 2015

Published online: 16 June 2015

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Impact of the Vertical Velocity Field on Charging Processes and Charge Separation in a Simulated Thunderstorm