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A Distinct Class of High Peak-Current Lightning Pulses Over Mountainous Terrain in Thunderstorms

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lyu, F; Cummer, SA; Krehbiel, PR; Rison, W; Bruning, EC; Rutledge, SA
Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
July 28, 2021

Cloud-to-ground strokes, narrow bipolar events, and energetic in-cloud pulses are known classes of high peak-current lightning processes that occur in thunderstorms. Here, we report one more distinct class of high peak-current events observed exclusively over mountainous terrain, usually above 2,000 m altitude, in the continental Unites States. These events, which we call mountain-top energetic pulses (MEPs), are bipolar pulses with negative radiated field polarities. MEPs are generated between the high mountain tops and compact overhead thunderclouds. Evidence supports the hypothesis that MEPs are produced by terrain-initiated upward positive leaders propagating in high electric fields due to the proximity of the low negative charge regions of the thunderstorms. This scenario further suggests the possibility that MEPs are associated with downward terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, and their high peak currents imply that they may produce elves.

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Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

EISSN

1944-8007

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

July 28, 2021

Volume

48

Issue

14

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
 

Citation

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Lyu, F., Cummer, S. A., Krehbiel, P. R., Rison, W., Bruning, E. C., & Rutledge, S. A. (2021). A Distinct Class of High Peak-Current Lightning Pulses Over Mountainous Terrain in Thunderstorms. Geophysical Research Letters, 48(14). https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094153
Lyu, F., S. A. Cummer, P. R. Krehbiel, W. Rison, E. C. Bruning, and S. A. Rutledge. “A Distinct Class of High Peak-Current Lightning Pulses Over Mountainous Terrain in Thunderstorms.” Geophysical Research Letters 48, no. 14 (July 28, 2021). https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094153.
Lyu F, Cummer SA, Krehbiel PR, Rison W, Bruning EC, Rutledge SA. A Distinct Class of High Peak-Current Lightning Pulses Over Mountainous Terrain in Thunderstorms. Geophysical Research Letters. 2021 Jul 28;48(14).
Lyu, F., et al. “A Distinct Class of High Peak-Current Lightning Pulses Over Mountainous Terrain in Thunderstorms.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 48, no. 14, July 2021. Scopus, doi:10.1029/2021GL094153.
Lyu F, Cummer SA, Krehbiel PR, Rison W, Bruning EC, Rutledge SA. A Distinct Class of High Peak-Current Lightning Pulses Over Mountainous Terrain in Thunderstorms. Geophysical Research Letters. 2021 Jul 28;48(14).
Journal cover image

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

EISSN

1944-8007

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

July 28, 2021

Volume

48

Issue

14

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences