Brian Dunbar

Headquarters, Washington, DC September 25, 1995

(Phone: 202/358-1547)

Steve Roy
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
(Phone: 205/544-0034)

RELEASE: 95-160

NASA INSTRUMENT ILLUMINATES LINKS BETWEEN LIGHTNING,

TORNADOES

A NASA lightning detector is intriguing scientists

with the possibility of identifying the formation of
tornadoes and severe storms from space.

Research scientists at the Marshall Space Flight

Center, Huntsville, AL, using data from the Optical
Transient Detector (OTD), are building a global picture of
the role of lightning in the atmosphere, including
lightning produced by large storms. These data are
significant because the "flashrate" of lightning may
provide, in conjunction with other detection systems, an
indication of the formation of tornadoes.

Launched April 3 aboard a Pegasus rocket, NASA's

OTD has been observing lightning flashes as it passes over
severe storms. Taking advantage of the perspective from
orbit, the detector gives researchers a much more
comprehensive view of lightning generated by severe storms
than is generally available from ground observations.

On April 17, as the OTD passed over a severe storm

in Oklahoma, the rate of lightning flashes peaked at more
than 60 per second, 40 seconds into the satellite's pass.
The flash rate then decreased, and approximately one minute
after the pass, observers saw a tornado touch the ground,
said Dr. Hugh Christian, Principal Investigator of the OTD
at Marshall's Global Hydrology and Climate Center.

Overall, the instrument detected almost 200

lightning flashes during its three-minute pass. In
contrast, the ground-based National Lightning Network,
which detects only cloud to ground flashes, located nine
flashes during the same period. This large difference
suggests the tornadic storm was producing primarily
intracloud lightning.

-more-

-2-

"We saw much more intense lightning activity

produced by these clouds than was observed on the ground,
both before and during tornado formation," explained
Christian. "In the next months we plan to perform detailed
studies on the relationship between intracloud lightning
and the formation of severe weather."

The increasing, then decreasing, lightning-flash

rates produced by the Oklahoma storm may mirror the life
cycle of the air mass of storms and might be an indication
of the onset of downdrafts occurring before a tornado is
formed, according to Christian.

"While the Optical Transient Detector is a

technological demonstration and is being used for ongoing
lightning studies, it certainly provides a 'tantalizing
carrot' of future lightning-detection possibilities," said
Christian. "Further research and the experience gained
with this lightning instrument could help develop sensors
for real-time severe weather warnings and assist with
identification of the formation of tornadoes."

Data from the OTD are being analyzed by scientists

located at the Global Hydrology and Climate Center in
Huntsville. Data are processed in the climate center's
Optical Transient Detector Science Computer Facility and
will be archived and distributed in the Earth Observing
Systems Data Information System.
 -end-

NASA press releases and other information are available

automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail
message to domo@hq.nasa.gov. In the body of the message
(not the subject line) users should type the words
"subscribe press-release" (no quotes). The system will
reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription.
A second automatic message will include additional
information on the service. Questions should be directed
to (202) 358-4043.