Supercell Lightning Simulations

These animations model a 1.5 hour supercell evolution and visualize
fractal-like lightning branch structures from the storm.In early June, 1995, a
severe storm swept across the West Texas Panhandle, producing a dozen
supercells, and spawning several tornados. Two tornados reached F4 strength,
caused extensive damage to the towns of Dimmitt and Friona, TX, and even
stripped pavement from the local highways. The animations shown here model the
1.5 hour supercell evolution on June 2, 1995Data from these supercells were
collected by researchers as part of the Verification of the Origins of Rotation
in Tornados EXperiment (VORTEX). The VORTEX project spanned the spring seasons
of 1994 and 1995 and was designed to address research questions related to
tornadogenesis and tornado dynamics. This data and research has increased the
understanding of tornado development and enhanced the ability to predict and
anticipate tornadic activity.

Researchers continue to study and analyze this data, not only to better
understand tornado dynamics, but also to develop and improve 3D supercell
models and lightning simulations. Scientists at the National Severe Storms
Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma are investigating the conditions and
occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning and the relationships between lightning
flash rate and storm characteristics such as total ice mass and updraft mass
flux. A better understanding of these relationships could lead to more accurate
models and even "nowcasting" of severe storms.