Parameterizations for global thundercloud corona discharge distributions

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: . Four parameterizations have been developed to simulate global distributions of thundercloud streamer corona discharges (also known as Blue LUminous Events or BLUEs) mainly producing bluish optical emissions associated to the second positive system of N2 accompanied by no (or hardly detectable) 777.4 nm light emission. BLUEs occur globally between about 7 and 12 times less frequently (Soler et al., 2022) than lightning flashes. The four schemes are based on nonlinear functions of the cloud top height (CTH), the product of the convective available potential energy (CAPE) and total precipitation (TP), the product of CAPE and specific cloud liquid water content (CLWC), and the product of CAPE and specific cloud snow water content (CSWC). Considering that thunderstorms occur on hourly timescales, these parameterizations have been tested using ERA5 hourly data (except for CTH, not available in ERA5) for the meteorological variables considered, finding that the proposed BLUE schemes work fine and are consistent with observations by ASIM. Moreover, the parameterizations have been implemented in a global chemistry-climate model that generates annual and seasonal global distributions for present day and end of 21st century climate scenarios. Present day predictions are in good agreement with recent observations by the Atmosphere Space Interaction Monitor (ASIM).

Source: Atmospheric chemistry and physics

DOI: 10.5194/acp-24-10225-2024

Authors: Sergio Soler, Francisco J. Gordillo-Vázquez, Francisco J. Pérez-Invernón, Patrick Jöckel, Torsten Neubert, Olivier Chanrion, Victor Reglero, Nikolai Østgaard

Institutions: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), DTU Space, Technical University of Denmark, Universitat de València, University of Bergen

Language: English

Topic: Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,725

Funders: “la Caixa” Foundation, Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Junta de Andalucía, Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona, Agencia Estatal de Investigación

OpenAlex ID: W4402807475