e-Article
Guangdong Lightning Mapping Array: Errors Evaluation and Preliminary Results.
Document Type
Article
Source
Subject
*LIGHTNING
*CHI-square distribution
*ELECTRIC discharges
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Language
ISSN
2333-5084
Abstract
The Guangdong Lightning Mapping Array (GDLMA), as the first LMA in China, was deployed in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, in November 2018 by the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. An evaluation was conducted using Monte Carlo and an aircraft track. The average timing uncertainty of GDLMA is 35 ns based on the distributions of reduced chi‐square values. Based on the aircraft track, the average horizontal error is 13 m and the average vertical error is 41 m at an altitude of 4–5 km over the network, consistent with the Monte Carlo results. Location errors outside the network exhibit noticeable directionality. The ability to characterize lightning channels varies with different location errors. In locations that are far from the network center, only the basic structure of lightning flash can be presented, while closer to the network, the flash channel structure can be mapped well. Compared with Low‐to‐Mid Frequency E‐field Detection Array (MLFEDA), they were generally similar in overall structure, and some lightning flash characteristics such as flash duration and coverage area exhibited consistency. However, GDLMA demonstrated better flash channel structure characterization capability, while MLFEDA performed better in processes such as leader/return strokes. In addition, based on the comparison of spatial positions of one‐on‐one discharge events, we found that very high frequency sources were more located ahead of low frequency sources in the direction of lightning channel development. Key Points: The detection performance of Guangdong Lightning Mapping Array has been evaluated using Monte Carlo and an aircraft track, and both methods showed good consistencyLocation errors over the network are within 18 m horizontally and 50 m vertically, when outside the network they show directionalityVery high frequency (VHF) and low frequency lightning location results are similar, but VHF sources are more located ahead along the channel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]