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AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Atmospheres

 
Abstract
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Abstract

A cloud-scale model study of lightning-generated NO x in an individual thunderstorm during STERAO-A

Alex J. DeCaria

Kenneth E. Pickering

Georgiy L. Stenchikov

John R. Scala

Jeffrey L. Stith

James E. Dye

Brian A. Ridley

Pierre Laroche

Understanding lightning NO x (NO + NO2) production on the cloud scale is key for developing better parameterizations of lightning NO x for use in regional and global chemical transport models. This paper attempts to further the understanding of lightning NO x production on the cloud scale using a cloud model simulation of an observed thunderstorm. Objectives are (1) to infer from the model simulations and in situ measurements the relative production rates of NO x by cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) lightning for the storm; (2) to assess the relative contributions in the storm anvil of convective transport of NO x from the boundary layer and NO x production by lightning; and (3) to simulate the effects of the lightning-generated NO x on subsequent photochemical ozone production. We use a two-dimensional cloud model that includes a parameterized source of lightning-generated NO x to study the production and advection of NO x associated with a developing northeast Colorado thunderstorm observed on July 12, 1996, during the Stratosphere-Troposphere Experiment—Radiation, Aerosols, Ozone (STERAO-A) field campaign. Model results are compared with the sum of NO measurements taken by aircraft and photostationary state estimates of NO2 in and around the anvil of the thunderstorm. The results show that IC lightning was the dominant source of NO x in this thunderstorm. We estimate from our simulations that the NO x production per CG flash (P CG) was of the order of 200 to 500 mol flash−1. NO x production per IC flash (P IC) appeared to be half or more of that for a CG flash, a higher ratio of P IC/P CG than is commonly assumed. The results also indicate that the majority of NO x (greater than 80%) in the anvil region of this storm resulted from lightning as opposed to transport from the boundary layer. The effect of the lightning NO x on subsequent photochemical ozone production was assessed using a column chemical model initialized with values of NO x , O3, and hydrocarbons taken from a horizontally averaged vertical profile through the anvil of the simulated storm. The lightning NO x increased simulated ozone production rates by a maximum of over 7 ppbv d−1 in the upper troposphere downwind of this storm.

Received 27 July 1999; accepted 10 January 2000; .

Citation: DeCaria, A. J., K. E. Pickering, G. L. Stenchikov, J. R. Scala, J. L. Stith, J. E. Dye, B. A. Ridley, and P. Laroche (2000), A cloud-scale model study of lightning-generated NO x in an individual thunderstorm during STERAO-A, J. Geophys. Res., 105(D9), 11,601–11,616.

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