Long-range tracking of thunderstorms using sferic measurements

摘要: [1] Each lightning stroke launches an electromagnetic pulse, known as a radio atmospheric or sferic that propagates in the waveguide between Earth and ionosphere. Sferics, with most of their energy contained frequency band from 3 Hz to 30 kHz, can propagate low loss distances tens megameters. Using very (VLF) magnetic field measurements at Palmer Station, Antarctica, azimuths sferics originating North America (∼10,000 km range) are found be measurable less than 1 degree accuracy. Analysis arrival Station allows assessment flash rates storms occurring diverse regions globe including Africa. Arrival compared level data National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) 83.6% could matched NLDN flashes were within 2 degrees predicted for those flashes. Results also satellite-based Optical Transient Detector (OTD), detected consistent location elsewhere around world. The relative distribution relationship ground cloud discussed specific localized thunderstorm. Evidence generated by intracloud discharges is presented.