Brazilian Program to Monitor Lightning

Abstract

The general goal of the project is to investigate the lightning activity and characteristics in Brazil. These studies are of main concern due to the high flash densities in the country. The last estimate, based on the comparison between satellite and ground network data, suggests that on average approximately 50 to 70 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes occur every year. The focus will be put on new findings on the lightning characteristics and their impact on the development of new technologies to provide lightning warning. Ground lightning networks in VLF, LF and VHF will be used to monitor the lightning activity. The validation of the lightning data will be performed through several campaigns using high high-speed GPS synchronized cameras, an instrumented tower for current measurements and rockets to triggered lightning. The information obtained by these techniques will be compared with meteorological satellite data. The project will be coordinated by the Atmospheric Electricity Group (ELAT), in collaboration in Brazil with the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), the University of Sao Paulo (USP), the Catolic University of Rio Grande do SuI (PUCRS), the Federal University of Mato Grosso do SuI (UFMS) and the Laboratory of Climate and Space of Santa Maria (LACESM/INPE), in the United States with the University of Washington (UW), and in New Zealand with the University of Dunedin (UD). The project will be supported by the Center for Climatic and Forecasting Studies (CPTEC/INPE), the Meteorological and Hydrological Center of Santa Catarina (CLIMERH), the International Research Center for Triggered Lightning (CIPRIN), the Technological Center of Aeronautic (CTA), the System for Vigilance in the Amazon (SIVAM) , the Meteorological Center of Parana (SIMEPAR), the Energetic Company of Minas Gerais (CEMIG), the Furnas Centrais Elétricas (FURNAS), and the Energetic Company of the South of Brazil (ELETROSUL). (AU)