SAFIR-3000 Lightning Statistics over the Beijing Metropolitan Region during 2005–07

• DOI: 10.1175/jamc-d-16-0030.1
• Publication Date: 2016-10-04T22:09:30Z
• Authors: Fan Wu; Xiaopeng Cui; Da-Lin Zhang; Dongxia Liu; Dong Zheng
• Keywords: Lightning; Lightning detection

Abstract In this study, the spatiotemporal characteristics of cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) lightning flashes observed by Surveillance et Alerte Foudre par Interférometrie Radioélectrique (SAFIR)-3000 over Beijing metropolitan region (BMR) during 2005–07 were investigated. The results showed presence 299 days with 241 688 flashes, most which IC flashes. Only 19% total CG flashes; 14% these positive. Most activity occurred summer months (June–August), a major diurnal peak around 1900 standard time (BST) secondary 2300 BST. Spatial variations in flash density both exhibited an obvious southeastwardly increasing pattern, higher densities or more occurring southeastern plains lower values distributed on northwestern mountains. Z ratio (IC/CG flashes) similar spatial but percentage positive almost opposite pattern. also significant topographic effects activity. That is, counts northeastern southwestern mountains peaked afternoon, whereas those late night to early morning, could be attributed propagation thunderstorms from plains. that SAFIR-3000 data are useful than alone for forecasting development BMR.