Present Status and Future Capabilities of Ground-Based Lightning Networks

Transcription

1 Present Status and Future Capabilities of Ground-Based Lightning Networks Presentation for the MTG Mission Team Jochen Grandell 6 March 2007 Slide: 1

2 TOPICS OF THE PRESENTATION Background for the study Main objectives of the study Study team & schedule Current status Slide: 2

3 BACKGROUND FOR THE STUDY In spring 2006, the MTG Mission Definition Review Board did not recommend to pursue a Lightning Imager (LI) mission during Phase A. However, after discussion in the following delegate body meetings, the candidate LI mission was still retained in the mission configuration to be studied during Phase A The need for further study to explore the added value of the candidate LI mission was however recognised. Slide: 3

4 STG-SWG DECISIONS Action from SWG-20 (March 2006): Action 20.5: The Secretariat to initiate a study on the present status and future capabilities of ground based lightning networks, with a comparison to the proposed MTG Lighting Imager mission. The study should also indicate the costs of using ground based networks. This initiative was re-iterated during SWG-21 (September 2006), and a new Recommendation was formulated: Recommendation 21.3: SWG recommends the Secretariat to proceed with a Statement of Work for the ground-based lightning study, with an emphasis on an inventory of current and future ground based systems within the MSG coverage area. Slide: 4

5 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Based on the STG-SWG decisions, a SOW for a study was defined: Present Status and Future Capabilities of Ground-Based Lightning Networks The main objectives of this study are to verify: The needs of the users community for lightning data; The present status and the expected development/future plan of ground-based networks; The present and future possible gaps between users' requirements and lightning data from ground-based systems; The accessibility of data from ground-based networks to EUMETSAT users community. Potential of the MTG LI candidate mission to fill the above mentioned gap Slide: 5

6 STUDY TEAM Study Team: Ufficio Generale Spazio Aereo e Meteorologia Luigi de Leonibus Daniele Biron Claudio Giorgi (Italy) independent consultant Finnish Meteorological Institute Pirkko Pylkkö Tapio Tuomi Antti Mäkelä Jussi Haapalainen Slide: 6

7 MAIN TOPICS OF THE STUDY 1. Methodologies for ground-based lightning observations Literature review 2. Survey of ground-based lightning network operators Survey of ground network vendors, their products and future capabilities (MTG timeframe) User survey with the help of a internet questionnaire to selected users in Europe and Africa 3. Performance evaluation of lightning observations with reference to user requirements Slide: 7

8 SCHEDULE Dec 06 Jan 07 Feb 07 Mar 07 Apr 07 May 07 Jun 07 Jul 07 Kickoff Progress mtg #1 Progress mtg #2 Final Presentation Literature review Survey of ground-based networks Survey of users Performance evaluation Slide: 8

9 CURRENT STATUS General 1 st Technical Note delivered on 19 Feb 2007 Summarising work done since kick-off Concentrating on results from two vendor surveys UKMO ATDNET NowCast Mobile LINET (Note: Vaisala visit during PM#1, thus not included in TN#1) 1 st Progress meeting held on 27 Feb 2007 in Helsinki, Finland Slide: 9

10 CURRENT STATUS Relevance of cloud discharges (1) The importance of detecting cloud discharges is an important question in the study These can be detected with various kinds of systems (VHF and LF), and also from space VHF events (7828) and CGs (251; black) in 1- minute intervals during a two hour period in Finland on a ~50x90 km area (July 10 th 2006). Slide: 10

11 CURRENT STATUS Relevance of cloud discharges (2) Mainly two benefits from the cloud-discharge detection: more detailed picture of the discharge (of any kind), earlier observation and identification of the development stage of the storm Different systems give diverse information depending on the characteristics of the system (e.g. the number of located events / flash) The second point has probably a regional dependence Slide: 11

12 CURRENT STATUS Vendor visits Three visits were planned and have now been completed: UKMO ATDNET system NowCast Mobile LINET system Vaisala systems (visit during PM#1) All of the visits pursued at the early part of the study more detailed comparison of the performances to follow A direct comparison from one day in 2006 will be made between the systems (Vaisala, UKMO, NowCast) during the second period of the study Ready by TN2 (mid-april 2007) Slide: 12

13 CURRENT STATUS User survey (1) The survey will be conducted by a questionnaire and visits to selected users of lightning data Questionnaire on the use of lightning data: six sections, each one visible only to selected users distribution through the Internet distribution list compiled for Europe and Africa (data providers and final users) Slide: 13

14 CURRENT STATUS User survey (2) Slide: 14