Lightning trends as a precursor to microbursts

The feasibility of using lightning-rate data to aid in the early warning of microburst occurrence in moist environments is illustrated. Convective tendency images were generated for a small microburst-producing storm that developed in northern Alabama on July 20, 1986 during the Cooperative Huntsville Meteorological Experiment. Radar observations were obtained from the NCAR CP2 10-cm dual-polarization Doppler radar, while the measurements of total lightning activity were provided by the National Severe Storm Laboratory, a mobile laboratory that was located under the storm throughout its lifetime. The scenario for the evolution of wet microburst producing thunderstorms is described.