Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to the NWS Lightning Activities in SPoRT: presented at SPoRT Science Advisory Committee (SAC)

Lightning Activities in SPoRT: presented at SPoRT Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting Huntsville, AL 12-14 June 2007 1

transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to the NWStransitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to the NWS

North Alabama and DC North Alabama and DC Lightning MappingLightning Mapping

presented at the

SPoRT Science Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting

12-14 June 2007

Richard J. Blakeslee, NASA/MSFC

Dennis E. Buechler, UAH



Approach to Lightning MappingApproach to Lightning Mapping

• New Mexico Tech Lightning Mapping ArrayNew Mexico Tech Lightning Mapping Array– Time-of-arrival system– 10-12 stations over 50-70 km diameter area– Passive system: locates impulsive radio frequency

signals produced by lightning (‘static’)– “Listens” in a locally unused VHF TV channel (e.g.,

Ch3, 5, 8, 10, etc.)– Produces observations in near real-time (4-D maps of

the lightning channel)– Detects total lightning (i.e., CG and IC) with good

spatial accuracy, temporal resolution, and high detection efficiency



Time-of-Arrival (TOA) TechniqueTime-of-Arrival (TOA) Technique

c

zz+yy+xx+t=t iii

i

222

Signal arrives at station i(x , y , z ) at time t

Impulsive lightningevent at (x, y, z, t)

The Lightning Mapping Array measures the time of arrival of RF radiation fromThe Lightning Mapping Array measures the time of arrival of RF radiation froma lightning discharge at multiple stations, and locates the sources of the radiationa lightning discharge at multiple stations, and locates the sources of the radiationto produce a three-dimensional map of total lightning activity (x, y, z, t).to produce a three-dimensional map of total lightning activity (x, y, z, t).

• Measure tMeasure tii at N>4 locations ( 50 ns accuracy) at N>4 locations ( 50 ns accuracy)• Solve for x, y, z, t (4 unknowns)Solve for x, y, z, t (4 unknowns)



LMA HardwareLMA Hardware

North Alabama LMA– LMA Sensor Sites

• VHF ground plane antenna• Sensor electronics / site computer • Communications (mostly 2.4 GHz

wireless Ethernet network link)

– Relay Sites and Central Station• PC router (up to 4 network links)• Communications (multiple

antennas require great care in channel selection)



North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array

- 10 stations over 65 x50 km diameter area- Operational since Nov. 2001

North Alabama LMAOne hour of real-time data



Example of LMA FlashExample of LMA Flash



North Alabama Observing SystemsNorth Alabama Observing Systems• The LMA is a component of the Severe Thunderstorm Observation, Research, and

Monitoring Network (STORMnet) providing total lightning mapping.

• STORMnet (as part of SPoRT) is a project to improve severe and hazardous weather forecasting and warning through collaboration among NASA and University scientists, NWS forecasters, and commercial partners.

RADARS

MIPS(Profilers)

ASOSLMA



Total Lightning Data Total Lightning Data to the WFOto the WFO

Scientific Benefits to WFOsScientific Benefits to WFOs• Increased Situational Awareness,

Confidence Limits

• Rapid Update- Potential for increased lead time, reduced FAR

• Identification of intensifying and weakening storms, potential severe storms, microburst wind shears, CG threat area

• Fills gaps in radar coverage (e.g., edge of radar coverage)

• Use in Warning Event Simulator for office training

Tennessee

Alabama

HUN CWA

LMA AWIPS Area



Flow of LMA data into AWIPSFlow of LMA data into AWIPS

NASA

NWSFTP

Server

LDAD DS1

Forecaster

AWIPS Workstation

Wireless Ethernet (NALMA) or Internet (DCLMA) data xfer to base station for real-time processing

Gridded LMA data

Forecaster at Workstation

WFO



NALMA Imagery in AWIPSNALMA Imagery in AWIPS

Source density grids in netCDF format

17 height levels (0-16 km) Lowest level is composite Auto-loads 2 min grids 2 km horizontal grid 1 km vertical LMA image can display

side-by-side with NEXRAD reflectivity and velocity, satellite, or other fields

LMA covers 7 WFO CWAs Data provided to HUN, BMX,

DGX, and OHX NWS offices

CompositeCompositedBZdBZ

NLDN NLDN 5-min5-min

LMALMA2-min2-min

VILVIL



History of NALMA data at HUNHistory of NALMA data at HUN

• November 2001: LMA operations beginNovember 2001: LMA operations begin• May 2003: Started ingesting LMA data into AWIPSMay 2003: Started ingesting LMA data into AWIPS• May 6, 2003: First case LMA used to warnMay 6, 2003: First case LMA used to warn• August 27, 2003: First case used to not issue a warningAugust 27, 2003: First case used to not issue a warning• Summer 2003: Helped install LMA data at BMX and Summer 2003: Helped install LMA data at BMX and

OHXOHX

• Building cases for training on WES Building cases for training on WES – Two sent to SRH WES case libraryTwo sent to SRH WES case library– Many more cases archived (more than 30 so far)Many more cases archived (more than 30 so far)

• Assisted other offices with software and adviceAssisted other offices with software and advice



Alternate LISDAD II DisplayAlternate LISDAD II Display

• Along with AWIPS forecasters can interrogate data using LISDAD II software

• Provides location and number of LMA/NLDN samples

• Alternate to the AWIPS display

• Heritage: Melbourne, FL (NASA, NWS, MIT/LL)



Washington DC Metropolitan Lightning Washington DC Metropolitan Lightning Mapper DemonstrationMapper Demonstration

Conceived at Southern Thunder Alliance Workshop Conceived at Southern Thunder Alliance Workshop (Ft Worth, TX, 2005; endorsed by SAC, 2005)(Ft Worth, TX, 2005; endorsed by SAC, 2005)

Due to cancellation of VORTEX-II Experiment in 2007, pursue newly available opportunity to deploy, evaluate, and assess the scientific and technological merits of total lightning mapping with the NMT portable LMA in an additional operational setting.

Why DC Metro Area?• Transitional climatic regime, yet still many severe storms• Coverage of 3 major heavily used airports• Complex terrain to west, urban environment• Sterling WFO history of supporting new technology assessments

– Leverage with on-going TDWR evaluations• Proximity of MDL developers to WFO forecasters• Access to students, faculty for system operations/maintenance• Local interest (broadcast community, researchers, forecasters)



Portable LMA StationPortable LMA Station(note: NSSTC now building 20 portable stations)(note: NSSTC now building 20 portable stations)

• Electronics housed in shielded thermoelectric cooler enclosure• Operate from external 12 VDC battery and/or power supply. ~12 watts power• Battery operation: 48+hours (w/out cooling) 20+ hours (with cooling)• Lightweight (10 lbs)

• ¼ wave ground plane antenna (Ch. 8 shown; 180-186 MHz)• Connected to receiver in box by coaxial cable • Other external connectors: GPS antenna, ethernet, 12 VDC



Washington DC LMAWashington DC LMA

• Channel 10, 192-198 MHz (upper VHF)

• 8 stations operational, 10 stations planned (2007)

• Data ingested into AWIPS at higher spatial and temporal resolution (1 km x 1 km x 1 km x 1 min)



DC Severe Thunderstorms 4 July 2006DC Severe Thunderstorms 4 July 2006

I used the DC-LMA web site to view updates on lightning activity during my shift at the command center (through about 3:45 PM). It was VERY useful, since I had no other "real-time" lightning data available. I used various links to NWS forecasts, radar, and satellite data via the Internet to conduct weather briefings to the command center staff. In addition, our WFO staff kept an eye on the DC area via all of the data available in AWIPS.

… the DC-LMA data were VERY useful in monitoring storm activity. I was able to show the center staff where the lightning was occurring. In addition, I monitored changes in lightning coverage/intensity as a rough gauge of thunderstorm changes in intensity.”

Steve Zubrick, WFO Sterling (LWX)



Severna Park, MD F1 TornadoSeverna Park, MD F1 Tornado28 Sept. 200628 Sept. 2006

DC LMA 2100-2300 UTC DC LMA 2230-2232 UTC

SevernaPark



Public WebPublic Web

DC LMAPublic WebSite (2006)

Model that will be used for the NALMA

http://branch.nsstc.nasa.gov/PUBLIC/DCLMA

Documents

Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to the NWS Lightning Activities in SPoRT: presented at SPoRT Science Advisory Committee (SAC)