Forum Theme

Comprehensive Understanding of Observation, Mechanisms, and Applications of Lightning

Report Time

June 12, 2024 (Wednesday) 14:00 - 17:00

Moderator

Xiao Xian, Researcher at the Institute of Urban Meteorology, CMA, Beijing (IUM)

Special Guest

Jiang Rubin is a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, a National Excellent Youth Scholar, and a member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He mainly engages in the study of thunderstorm and lightning detection, lightning physics, and lightning meteorology, and is dedicated to investigating theoretical methods and scientific technologies for artificially influencing lightning. He has published nearly 90 academic papers, obtained nine invention patents and five software copyrights, and received two provincial and ministerial level first prizes in science and technology. Currently, he serves as a member of the Youth Committee of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS), a member of the IAMAS China Committee, a director of the China Meteorological Society, and an editorial board/young editorial board member of journals such as Meteor. Atmos. Phys., Fundamental Research, and Plateau Meteorology.

Yuan Shanfeng is an associate researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and has been selected for the Beijing Association for Science and Technology's 2024-2026 Young Talent Support Program. His research focuses on lightning detection and lightning physics. He received the Science and Technology Innovation Contribution Award from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Special President Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Young Scholar Award from the 10th Asia-Pacific International Conference on Lightning APL2017, the Young Scholar Award from the fourth Atlantic Radio Science Meeting AT-RASC 2024, and the 2021 AGU Outstanding Reviewer Award, among other honors.

Liu Dongxia is an associate researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and specializes in severe convective weather and lightning meteorology. Her research work primarily revolves around the mechanisms of dynamics-microphysics-lightning activity in severe convective weather and the applications of lightning activity. Based on long-term comprehensive collaborative observation experiments of severe convective weathers, she uses research methods such as multi-source data analysis and numerical simulation and has achieved a series of research results in the patterns of lightning activity in severe convective weather systems, the charge structure of thunderstorms, and the mechanisms of the impact of aerosol on in-cloud electrification and lightning activity.

Report Content

Report 1: Artificially Triggered Lightning - Detection, Mechanisms, and Applications (Presenter: Researcher Jiang Rubin)

The report will introduce new technology development for thunderstorms and lightning detection concerning artificially triggered lightning experiments in Shandong in recent years, the characteristics of charge and electric field in thunderstorms, and the research progress in lightning physical mechanisms, chemical effects, and protection testing, along with a brief introduction of the team's exploration of new technologies for artificially influencing the thunderstorm electric environment to trigger lightning.

Report 2: Initiation Mechanisms of Positive Cloud-to-Ground Flashes and Their Triggering Effects on Upward Lightning (Presenter: Associate Researcher Yuan Shanfeng)

The report will introduce the advancements in high-resolution lightning detection technology, summarizing new understandings of the lightning discharge process and current frontier scientific issues. The report mainly encompasses two aspects: (1) High-resolution lightning imaging and positioning technology, development of real-time 3D lightning positioning based on low-frequency fast antennas, and lightning channel imaging detection methods based on very high-frequency interferometers, as well as Beijing lightning positioning technology; (2) Research on the characteristics of lightning occurrence and development, including the initiation mechanism of upward lightning on tall buildings and the discharge process of positive cloud-to-ground flashes.

Report 3: Lightning Activity Characteristics in Severe Convective Weather Systems (Presenter: Associate Researcher Liu Dongxia)

The report will introduce the evolutionary traits of convective structure-particle distribution-in-cloud electric activity and their interrelations during the evolution of different types of thunderstorms, and the charge structure characteristics in severe convective weather systems. The main research content included three aspects: (1) Research on the relationship between dynamic structure, microphysical processes, and lightning activity characteristics in different types of severe convective weather systems based on comprehensive observations from high-precision lightning positioning systems, radar, ground electric field, and surface meteorological observations; (2) Revelation of the electrification process, particle charge, and charge structure characteristics in severe convective weather systems based on the thunderstorm cloud electrical coupling model; (3) Exploration of the mechanisms of the impact of aerosol on electrification, charge structure, and lightning activity in severe convective weather systems.