ISSN 1000-0526
CN 11-2282/P
CN 11-2282/P
Numerical Simulation Study on Effects of Different Nucleation Parameterizations on Electrification in Thunderstorms
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Abstract:
In recent years, the interaction between aerosols and thunderstorm electrification had emerged as a focal point in academic research. Homogeneous nucleation of soluble aerosol droplets and heterogeneous nucleation of ice nuclei represent two primary mechanisms for ice crystal formation. The size and concentration of ice crystals in thunderstorms significantly influenced charge generation and distribution, which are critical factors in lightning occurrence. This study employed a three-dimensional thunderstorm model to investigate the impact of three distinct ice nucleation processes on lightning discharge characteristics, focused on a weak mountain thunderstorm case study. The results demonstrated that homogeneous nucleation generated a substantial number of ice crystals in the low-temperature region at the cloud top, resulting in prolonged discharge duration within the thunderstorm. The charge structure was predominantly dipolar, with a lower frequency of lightning, primarily consisting of cloud flashes originating from higher altitudes. In contrast, heterogeneous nucleation formed ice crystals in high-temperature regions, leading to an earlier charging process in thunderstorms. Ice crystals in these regions readily met charge reversal conditions, significantly increasing the negative non-inductive charging rate and favoring the formation of tripolar charge structures. Under these conditions, lightning occurred earlier and initiated from relatively lower altitudes, with heterogeneous nucleation facilitating lightning occurrence. When both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation processes occurred simultaneously, the thunderstorm charging process intensifies, resulting in a high lightning frequency. Furthermore, both nucleation processes advanced the initial lightning occurrence time and expanded the height range of the initial lightning trigger points. The tripolar charge structure promoted the occurrence of a substantial number of negative cloud-to-ground flashes.
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