GLM Average Flash Area (5-min/1-min Updates)

[22:00 UTC] In watching the march of convection across the Sterling CWA this afternoon, I started to take a look at GLM data a bit more closely. More specifically, started looking at GLM Average Flash Area (5-min/1-min updates) with the cluster of ongoing convection. It was noted that, in general, the more intense convection had lower Average Flash Areas than the more marginal updrafts/convection.

For example, in the below animation, towards the beginning, the more intense convection (and more robust updrafts) were in the SW part of the CWA. But as the afternoon progressed, the most intense convection actually developed in central and east-central parts of the area, with the activity in the southern part of the area a bit more marginal in nature (note in animation the yellow/light orange colors in the south (and even just outside/south of the CWA) with the darker magentas/blues more in the central part of the area (associated with strong storm activity)) for the second half of the animation.

With this, it was noted that as storms were developing/strengthening, the flash area was relatively small, but slowly spread out (increased flash area) as the storms matured and even passed maturity (began to decrease in intensity). Towards the end of the animation, the flash area seems to be decreasing across the cluster, which is supported by a more ragged appearance to the convection on KLVX 0.5 degree Z.

Fig. 1: GLM Average Flash Area for several hour period in Sterling CWA

Rosie Red