Lightning Activity and Its Relationship with Typhoon Intensity and Vertical Wind Shear for Super Typhoon Haiyan (1330)

+ Author Affiliations + Find other works by these authors
  • Corresponding author: QIE Xiushu
Funds: 

Supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (2014CB441401) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41475002).

DOI: 10.1007/s13351-016-4228-x

PDF

    Abstract

  • Abstract

    Super Typhoon Haiyan (1330), which occurred in 2013, is the most powerful typhoon during landfall in the meteorological record. In this study, the temporal and spatial distributions of lightning activity of Haiyan were analyzed by using the lightning data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network, typhoon intensity and position data from the China Meteorological Administration, and horizontal wind data from the ECMWF. Three distinct regions were identified in the spatial distribution of daily average lightning density, with the maxima in the inner core and the minima in the inner rainband. The lightning density in the intensifying stage of Haiyan was greater than that in its weakening stage. During the time when the typhoon intensity measured with maximum sustained wind speed was between 32.7 and 41.4 m s-1, the storm had the largest lightning density in the inner core, compared with other intensity stages. In contrast to earlier typhoon studies, the eyewall lightning burst out three times. The first two eyewall lightning outbreaks occurred during the period of rapid intensification and before the maximum intensity of the storm, suggesting that the eyewall lightning activity could be used to identify the change in tropical cyclone intensity. The flashes frequently occurred in the inner core, and in the outer rainbands with the black body temperature below 220 K. Combined with the ECMWF wind data, the influences of vertical wind shear (VWS) on the azimuthal distribution of flashes were also analyzed, showing that strong VWS produced downshear left asymmetry of lightning activity in the inner core and downshear right asymmetry in the rainbands.
    • FullText(HTML)
    • References (34)
  • Abarca, S. F., K. L. Corbosiero, and D. Vollaro, 2011: The world wide lightning location network and convective activity in tropical cyclones. Mon. Wea. Rev., 139, 175-191.
    Atlas, D., K. R. Hardy, R. Wexler, et al., 1963: The origin of hurricane spiral bands. Geofis. Int., 3, 123-132.
    Black, R. A., and J. Hallett, 1999: Electrification of the hurricane. J. Atmos. Sci., 56, 2004-2028.
    Cecil, D. J., E. J. Zipser, and S. W. Nesbitt, 2002: Reflectivity, ice scattering, and lightning characteristics of hurricane eyewalls and rainbands. Part I: Quantitative description. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 769-784.
    Cecil, D. J., and E. J. Zipser, 2002: Reflectivity, ice scattering, and lightning characteristics of hurricane eyewalls and rainbands. Part II: Intercomparison of observations. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 785-801.
    Chen Guomin, Shen Xinyong, and Yang Yuhong, 2010: Role of -effect and vertical wind shear on tropical cyclone asymmetry structure and eyewall replacement. Plateau Meteor., 29, 1474-1484. (in Chinese)
    DeMaria, M., R. T. DeMaria, J. A. Knaff, et al., 2012: Tropical cyclone lightning and rapid intensity change. Mon. Wea. Rev., 140, 1828-1842.
    Demetriades, N. W. S., and R. L. Holle, 2006: Long range lightning nowcasting applications for tropical cyclones. Second Conf. on Meteor. Applic. of Lightning Data, Atlanta, Georgia.
    Gao Ling, Ren Tong, Li Chengcai, et al., 2012: A retrieval of the atmospheric aerosol optical depth from MTSAT. Acta Meteor. Sinica, 70, 598-608. (in Chinese)
    Hanley, D., J. Molinari, and D. Keyser, 2001: A composite study of the interactions between tropical cyclones and upper-tropospheric troughs. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129, 2570-2584.
    Jiang, H. Y., and E. M. Ramirez, 2013: Necessary conditions for tropical cyclone rapid intensification as derived from 11 years of TRMM data. J. Climate, 26, 6459-6470.
    Molinari, J., P. K. Moore, V. P. Idone, et al., 1994: Cloud-to-ground lightning in Hurricane Andrew. J. Geophys. Res., 99, 16665-16676.
    Molinari, J., P. K. Moore, and V. P. Idone, 1999: Convective structure of hurricanes as revealed by lightning locations. Mon. Wea. Rev., 127, 520-534.
    Molinari, J., N. W. S. Demetriades, R. L. Holle, et al., 2006: Application of long-range lightning data to hurricane formation and intensification. Second Conf. on Meteor. Applic. of Lightning Data, Atlanta, Georgia.
    Molinari, J., and V. David, 2010: Rapid intensification of a sheared tropical storm. Mon. Wea. Rev., 138, 3869-3885.
    Pan Lunxiang, Qie Xiushu, Liu Dongxia, et al., 2010: The lightning activities in super typhoons over the Northwest Pacific. Sci. China (Ser. D), 53, 1241-1248, doi: 10.1007/s11430-010-3034-z.
    Pan Lunxiang and Qie Xiushu, 2010: Lightning activity in Super Typhoon Sepat (0709). Chinese J. Atmos. Sci., 34, 1088-1098. (in Chinese)
    Pan Lunxiang, Liu Dongxia, Qie Xiushu, et al., 2013: Land-sea contrast in the lightning diurnal variation as observed by the WWLLN and LIS/OTD data. Acta Meteor. Sinica, 27, 591-600, doi: 10.1007/s13351-013-0408-0.
    Pan Lunxiang, Qie Xiushu, and Wang Dongfang, 2014: Lightning activity and its relation to the intensity of typhoons over the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 31, 581-592, doi: 10.1007/s00376-013-3115-y.
    Price, C., M. Asfur, and Y. Yair, 2009: Maximum hurricane intensity preceded by increase in lightning frequency. Nature Geosci., 2, 329-332.
    Qie Xiushu, Liu Dongxia, and Sun Zhuling, 2014: Recent advances in research of lightning meteorology. J. Meteor. Res., 28, 983-1002, doi: 10.1007/s13351-014-3295-0.
    Qie Xiushu, Zhang Yijun, Yuan Tie, et al., 2015: A review of atmospheric electricity research in China. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 32, 169-191, doi: 10.1007/s00376-014-0003-z.
    Rockney, V. D., 1956: Hurricane detection by radar and other means. Proc. Tropical Cyclone Symposium. Brisbane, WMO, 179-197.
    Rodger, C. J., J. B. Brundell, R. H. Holzworth, et al., 2009: Growing detection efficiency of the World Wide Lightning Location Network. AIP Conf. Proc., 1118, 15-20, doi: 10.1063/1.3137706.
    Saunders, C. P. R., and S. L. Peck, 1998: Laboratory studies of the influence of the rime accretion rate on charge transfer during crystal/graupel collisions. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 13949-13956.
    Solorzano, N. N., J. N. Thoma, and R. H. Holzworth, 2008: Global studies of tropical cyclones using the World Wide Lightning Location Network. The AMS Annual Meeting 2008, New Orlens.
    Squires, K., and S. Businger, 2008: The morphology of eyewall lightning outbreaks in two category 5 hurricanes. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136, 1706-1726.
    Stevenson, S. N., K. L. Corbosiero, and J. Molinari, 2014: The convective evolution and rapid intensification of Hurricane Earl (2010). Mon. Wea. Rev., 142, 4361-4380.
    Takahashi, T., 1978: Riming electrification as a charge generation mechanism in thunderstorms. J. Atmos. Sci., 35, 1536-1548.
    Xie Lijiang, Qiu Xinfa, and Wang Wei, 2013: Rapid intensification of tropical cyclones and vertical wind shear over Northwest Pacific. Tropical Geography, 33, 242-249. (in Chinese)
    Yang Meirong, Yuan Tie, Qie Xiushu, et al., 2011: An analysis of the characteristics of lightning activities, radar reflectivity and ice scattering for tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific. Acta Meteor. Sinica, 69, 370-380. (in Chinese)
    Zeng, Z. H., Y. Q. Wang, and C.-C. Wu, 2007: Environmental dynamical control of tropical cyclone intensity-An observational study. Mon. Wea. Rev., 61, 39-59.
    Zhang, W. J., Y. J. Zhang, D. Zheng, et al., 2012: Lightning distribution and eyewall outbreaks in tropical cyclones during landfall. Mon. Wea. Rev., 140, 3573-3586.
    Zhang, W. J., Y. J. Zhang, D. Zheng, et al., 2015: Relationship between lightning activity and tropical cyclone intensity over Northwest Pacific. J. Geophys. Res., 120, 4072-4089, doi: 10.1002/2014JD022334.
    • Relative Articles

  • Related Articles

    Rong ZHANG, Wenjuan ZHANG, Yijun ZHANG, Jianing FENG, Liangtao XU. 2020: Application of Lightning Data Assimilation to Numerical Forecast of Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013). Journal of Meteorological Research, 34(5): 1052-1067. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-020-9145-3
    Meng YUAN, Wei ZHONG. 2019: Detecting Intensity Evolution of the Western North Pacific Super Typhoons in 2016 Using the Deviation Angle Variance Technique with FY Data. Journal of Meteorological Research, 33(1): 104-114. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-019-8064-7
    Mingyu BI, Xuyang GE, Tim LI. 2018: Dependence of Tropical Cyclone Intensification on the Latitude under Vertical Shear. Journal of Meteorological Research, 32(1): 113-123. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-018-7055-4
    Fei WANG, Yijun ZHANG, Dong ZHENG, Liangtao XU, Wenjuan ZHANG, Qing MENG. 2017: Semi-Idealized Modeling of Lightning Initiation Related to Vertical Air Motion and Cloud Microphysics. Journal of Meteorological Research, 31(5): 976-986. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-017-6201-8
    CHEN Zitong, ZHANG Chengzhong, HUANG Yanyan, FENG Yerong, ZHONG Shuixin, DAI Guangfeng, XU Daosheng, YANG Zhaoli. 2014: Track of Super Typhoon Haiyan Predicted by a Typhoon Model for the South China Sea. Journal of Meteorological Research, 28(4): 510-523. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-014-3269-2
    SHU Shoujuan, WANG Yuan, BAI Lina. 2013: Insight into the Role of Lower-Layer Vertical Wind Shear in Tropical Cyclone Intensification over the Western North Pacific. Journal of Meteorological Research, 27(3): 356-363. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-013-0310-9
    TAO Jianjun, WANG Fang, LI Chaokui, HU Xianghui. 2013: Influence of Vertical Shear of Basic Tangential Wind on the Development and Maintenance of Typhoon. Journal of Meteorological Research, 27(2): 273-281. DOI: 10.1007/s13351-013-0211-y
    ZHAO Bin, DUAN Yihong, YU Hui, DU Bingyu. 2006: A Statistical Analysis on the E ect of Vertical Wind Shear on Tropical Cyclone Development. Journal of Meteorological Research, 20(3): 383-388.
    Jiang Qun, Dong Keqin. 1991: INFLUENCE OF THE VERTICAL SHEAR OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ON TYPHOON MOTION. Journal of Meteorological Research, 5(2): 228-241.
    Zhang Huijun, Lü Daren. 1990: PROPAGATION OF INTERNAL INERTIO-GRAVITY WAVE SPECTRA IN VERTICAL WIND SHEAR ENVIRONMENTS*. Journal of Meteorological Research, 4(2): 189-201.
    • Supplements (0)

  • Cited by

    Periodical cited type(13)

    1. Jie Li, Lin Song, Qilin Zhang, et al. Optimizing lightning location accuracy: A study of propagation velocity and time of arrival in long-range lightning location algorithms. Measurement, 2024. DOI:10.1016/j.measurement.2024.114754
    2. Wenjuan Zhang, Yijun Zhang, Shoujuan Shu, et al. Lightning Distribution in Tropical Cyclones Making Landfall in China. Frontiers in Earth Science, 2022, 10 DOI:10.3389/feart.2022.940205
    3. Jiaying Gu, Qilin Zhang, Jie Li, et al. Effect of Number and Configuration of Participating Stations on Lightning Location outside the Network. Remote Sensing, 2022, 14(17): 4242. DOI:10.3390/rs14174242
    4. Xiangzhen Kong, Yang Zhao, Zhenfeng Qiu, et al. A Simple Method for Predicting Intensity Change Using the Peak Time Lag Between Lightning and Wind in Tropical Cyclones. Geophysical Research Letters, 2021, 48(2) DOI:10.1029/2020GL088872
    5. Rong Zhang, Wenjuan Zhang, Yijun Zhang, et al. Application of Lightning Data Assimilation to Numerical Forecast of Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013). Journal of Meteorological Research, 2020, 34(5): 1052. DOI:10.1007/s13351-020-9145-3
    6. Wenjuan Zhang, Yijun Zhang, Dong Zheng, et al. Quantifying the contribution of tropical cyclones to lightning activity over the Northwest Pacific. Atmospheric Research, 2020, 239: 104906. DOI:10.1016/j.atmosres.2020.104906
    7. Xiushu Qie, Yijun Zhang. A Review of Atmospheric Electricity Research in China from 2011 to 2018. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 2019, 36(9): 994. DOI:10.1007/s00376-019-8195-x
    8. Wenjuan Zhang, Steven A. Rutledge, Weixin Xu, et al. Inner-core lightning outbreaks and convective evolution in Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013). Atmospheric Research, 2019, 219: 123. DOI:10.1016/j.atmosres.2018.12.028
    9. Svetlana Shabaganova, Lena Tarabukina, Vladimir Kozlov, et al. Parameters of lightning activity in the tropical cyclones at the stage of maximum development in August 2016. E3S Web of Conferences, 2019, 127: 01006. DOI:10.1051/e3sconf/201912701006
    10. Wenjuan Zhang, Yijun Zhang, Dong Zheng, et al. Lightning climatology over the northwest Pacific region: An 11-year study using data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network. Atmospheric Research, 2018, 210: 41. DOI:10.1016/j.atmosres.2018.04.013
    11. Fang Wang, Xiushu Qie, Dongfang Wang, et al. Lightning activity in tropical cyclones and its relationship to dynamic and thermodynamic parameters over the northwest Pacific. Atmospheric Research, 2018, 213: 86. DOI:10.1016/j.atmosres.2018.05.027
    12. Abhay Srivastava, Ye Tian, Xiushu Qie, et al. Performance assessment of Beijing Lightning Network (BLNET) and comparison with other lightning location networks across Beijing. Atmospheric Research, 2017, 197: 76. DOI:10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.06.026
    13. Mary Ann Cooper, Ronald L. Holle. Reducing Lightning Injuries Worldwide. Springer Natural Hazards, DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-77563-0_13

    Other cited types(0)

Catalog

    • Abstract
    • References

    Authors

    About the Journal

    Links

    WeChat

    Domestic Purchase

    京ICP备09060741号-1   Copyright©Journal of Meteorological Research  Contact: jmr@cms1924.org; 86-10-68408571  Total visits: 847405

    Supported by Beijing Renhe Information Technology Co. Ltd.    Baidu Analytics

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return