Abstract

The Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS) was held between May 22-July 16, 2000 in Goodland, Kansas. One of the goals was to get a better understanding of predominantly positive cloud-to-ground flashes in thunderstorms on the High Plains. This paper discusses the rel... Show moreThe Severe Thunderstorm Electrification and Precipitation Study (STEPS) was held between May 22-July 16, 2000 in Goodland, Kansas. One of the goals was to get a better understanding of predominantly positive cloud-to-ground flashes in thunderstorms on the High Plains. This paper discusses the relationships of the electric field and radar reflectivity of three different soundings taken during the project. All showed electric fields different from those found in storms with predominantly -CG lightning. An extra upper positive layer was seen in the anvil flight and all +CG lightning was located between the anvil and core during the dissipating stage of the storm. A core flight showed an inverted polarity and all benchmark regions were in the updraft portion of the storm. The second core showed that no apparent negative electric field charge layer was present and all +CG lightning was clustered in regions of highest reflectivity. This cell had produced a tornado just 30 minutes prior to the sounding. Show less