Articles | Volume 23, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14547-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14547-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
24 Nov 2023
Research article |
| 24 Nov 2023
| 24 Nov 2023
Machine-learning-based investigation of the variables affecting summertime lightning occurrence over the Southern Great Plains
Siyu Shan
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Dale Allen
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Centre, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Kenneth Pickering
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Jeff Lapierre
Earth Networks, Inc., Advanced Environmental Monitoring (AEM), Germantown, MD 20876, USA
Related authors
No articles found.
Yasin Elshorbany, Jerald Ziemke, Sarah Strode, Hervé Petetin, Kazuyuki Miyazaki, Isabelle De Smedt, Kenneth Pickering, Rodrigo Seguel, Helen Worden, Tamara Emmerichs, Domenico Taraborrelli, Maria Cazorla, Suvarna Fadnavis, Rebecca Buchholz, Benjamin Gaubert, Néstor Rojas, Thiago Nogueira, Thérèse Salameh, and Min Huang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-720, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-720, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated tropospheric ozone spatial variability and trends from 2005 to 2019 and related those to ozone precursors on global and regional scales. We also investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of the ozone formation regime in relation to ozone chemical sources and sinks. Our analysis is based on remote sensing products of the Tropospheric Column of Ozone and its precursors, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and total column of CO as well as ozonesonde data and model simulations.
Jing Wei, Zhanqing Li, Jun Wang, Can Li, Pawan Gupta, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 1511–1532, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1511-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-1511-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study estimated the daily seamless 10 km ambient gaseous pollutants (NO2, SO2, and CO) across China using machine learning with extensive input variables measured on monitors, satellites, and models. Our dataset yields a high data quality via cross-validation at varying spatiotemporal scales and outperforms most previous related studies, making it most helpful to future (especially short-term) air pollution and environmental health-related studies.
Rui Zhang, Yuying Wang, Zhanqing Li, Zhibin Wang, Russell R. Dickerson, Xinrong Ren, Hao He, Fei Wang, Ying Gao, Xi Chen, Jialu Xu, Yafang Cheng, and Hang Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14879–14891, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14879-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14879-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Factors of cloud condensation nuclei number concentration (NCCN) profiles determined in the North China Plain include air mass sources, temperature structure, anthropogenic emissions, and terrain distribution. Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectra suggest that the ability of aerosol activation into CCN is stronger in southeasterly than in northwesterly air masses and stronger in the free atmosphere than near the surface. A good method to parameterize NCCN from aerosol optical data is found.
Yuying Wang, Rong Hu, Qiuyan Wang, Zhanqing Li, Maureen Cribb, Yele Sun, Xiaorui Song, Yi Shang, Yixuan Wu, Xin Huang, and Yuxiang Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14133–14146, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14133-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14133-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The mixing state of size-resolved soot particles and their influencing factors were investigated. The results suggest anthropogenic emissions and aging processes have diverse impacts on the mixing state of soot particles in different modes. Considering that the mixing state of soot particles is crucial to model aerosol absorption, this finding is important to study particle growth and the warming effect of black carbon aerosols.
Katherine T. Junghenn Noyes, Ralph A. Kahn, James A. Limbacher, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 10267–10290, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10267-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10267-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We compare retrievals of wildfire smoke particle size, shape, and light absorption from the MISR satellite instrument to modeling and other satellite data on land cover type, drought conditions, meteorology, and estimates of fire intensity (fire radiative power – FRP). We find statistically significant differences in the particle properties based on burning conditions and land cover type, and we interpret how changes in these properties point to specific aerosol aging mechanisms.
Francisco J. Pérez-Invernón, Heidi Huntrieser, Thilo Erbertseder, Diego Loyola, Pieter Valks, Song Liu, Dale J. Allen, Kenneth E. Pickering, Eric J. Bucsela, Patrick Jöckel, Jos van Geffen, Henk Eskes, Sergio Soler, Francisco J. Gordillo-Vázquez, and Jeff Lapierre
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3329–3351, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3329-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3329-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Lightning, one of the major sources of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, contributes to the tropospheric concentration of ozone and to the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere. In this work, we contribute to improving the estimation of lightning-produced nitrogen oxides in the Ebro Valley and the Pyrenees by using two different TROPOMI products and comparing the results.
Lu Chen, Fang Zhang, Dongmei Zhang, Xinming Wang, Wei Song, Jieyao Liu, Jingye Ren, Sihui Jiang, Xue Li, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 6773–6786, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6773-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-6773-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol hygroscopicity is critical when evaluating its effect on visibility and climate. Here, the size-resolved particle hygroscopicity at five sites in China is characterized using field measurements. We show the distinct behavior of hygroscopic particles during pollution evolution among the five sites. Moreover, different hygroscopic behavior during NPF events were also observed. The dataset is helpful for understanding the spatial variability in particle composition and formation mechanisms.
Xing Yan, Zhou Zang, Zhanqing Li, Nana Luo, Chen Zuo, Yize Jiang, Dan Li, Yushan Guo, Wenji Zhao, Wenzhong Shi, and Maureen Cribb
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 1193–1213, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1193-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1193-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study developed a new satellite-based global land daily FMF dataset (Phy-DL FMF) by synergizing the advantages of physical and deep learning methods at a 1° spatial resolution by covering the period from 2001 to 2020. The Phy-DL FMF was extensively evaluated against ground-truth AERONET data and tested on a global scale against conventional satellite-based FMF products to demonstrate its superiority in accuracy.
Lu Chen, Fang Zhang, Don Collins, Jingye Ren, Jieyao Liu, Sihui Jiang, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2293–2307, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2293-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2293-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding the volatility and mixing state of atmospheric aerosols is important for elucidating their formation. Here, the size-resolved volatility of fine particles is characterized using field measurements. On average, the particles are more volatile in the summer. The retrieved mixing state shows that black carbon (BC)-containing particles dominate and contribute 67–77 % toward the total number concentration in the winter, while the non-BC particles accounted for 52–69 % in the summer.
Tianning Su, Youtong Zheng, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 1453–1466, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1453-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1453-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
To enrich our understanding of coupling of continental clouds, we developed a novel methodology to determine cloud coupling state from a lidar and a suite of surface meteorological instruments. This method is built upon advancement in our understanding of fundamental boundary layer processes and clouds. As the first remote sensing method for determining the coupling state of low clouds over land, this methodology paves a solid ground for further investigating the coupled land–atmosphere system.
Matthew W. Christensen, Andrew Gettelman, Jan Cermak, Guy Dagan, Michael Diamond, Alyson Douglas, Graham Feingold, Franziska Glassmeier, Tom Goren, Daniel P. Grosvenor, Edward Gryspeerdt, Ralph Kahn, Zhanqing Li, Po-Lun Ma, Florent Malavelle, Isabel L. McCoy, Daniel T. McCoy, Greg McFarquhar, Johannes Mülmenstädt, Sandip Pal, Anna Possner, Adam Povey, Johannes Quaas, Daniel Rosenfeld, Anja Schmidt, Roland Schrödner, Armin Sorooshian, Philip Stier, Velle Toll, Duncan Watson-Parris, Robert Wood, Mingxi Yang, and Tianle Yuan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 641–674, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-641-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-641-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Trace gases and aerosols (tiny airborne particles) are released from a variety of point sources around the globe. Examples include volcanoes, industrial chimneys, forest fires, and ship stacks. These sources provide opportunistic experiments with which to quantify the role of aerosols in modifying cloud properties. We review the current state of understanding on the influence of aerosol on climate built from the wide range of natural and anthropogenic laboratories investigated in recent decades.
Sihui Jiang, Fang Zhang, Jingye Ren, Lu Chen, Xing Yan, Jieyao Liu, Yele Sun, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14293–14308, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14293-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14293-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
New particle formation (NPF) can be a large source of CCN and affect weather and climate. Here we show that the NPF contributes largely to cloud droplet number concentration (Nd) but is suppressed at high particle number concentrations in Beijing due to water vapor competition. We also reveal a considerable impact of primary sources on the evaluation in the urban atmosphere. Our study has great significance for assessing NPF-associated effects on climate in polluted regions.
Rongmin Ren, Zhanqing Li, Peng Yan, Yuying Wang, Hao Wu, Maureen Cribb, Wei Wang, Xiao'ai Jin, Yanan Li, and Dongmei Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9977–9994, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9977-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9977-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed the effect of the proportion of components making up the chemical composition of aerosols on f(RH) in southern Beijing in 2019. Nitrate played a more significant role in affecting f(RH) than sulfate. The ratio of the sulfate mass fraction to the nitrate mass fraction (mostly higher than ~ 4) was a sign of the deliquescence of aerosol. A piecewise parameterized scheme was proposed, which could better describe deliquescence and reduce uncertainties in simulating aerosol hygroscopicity.
Jing Wei, Zhanqing Li, Rachel T. Pinker, Jun Wang, Lin Sun, Wenhao Xue, Runze Li, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7863–7880, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7863-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7863-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study developed a space-time Light Gradient Boosting Machine (STLG) model to derive the high-temporal-resolution (1 h) and high-quality PM2.5 dataset in China (i.e., ChinaHighPM2.5) at a 5 km spatial resolution from the Himawari-8 Advanced Himawari Imager aerosol products. Our model outperforms most previous related studies with a much lower computation burden in terms of speed and memory, making it most suitable for real-time air pollution monitoring in China.
Tianmeng Chen, Zhanqing Li, Ralph A. Kahn, Chuanfeng Zhao, Daniel Rosenfeld, Jianping Guo, Wenchao Han, and Dandan Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6199–6220, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6199-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6199-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A convective cloud identification process is developed using geostationary satellite data from Himawari-8.
Convective cloud fraction is generally larger before noon and smaller in the afternoon under polluted conditions, but megacities and complex topography can influence the pattern.
A robust relationship between convective cloud and aerosol loading is found. This pattern varies with terrain height and is modulated by varying thermodynamic, dynamical, and humidity conditions during the day.
Yuwei Zhang, Jiwen Fan, Zhanqing Li, and Daniel Rosenfeld
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2363–2381, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2363-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2363-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Impacts of anthropogenic aerosols on deep convective clouds (DCCs) and precipitation are examined using both the Morrison bulk and spectral bin microphysics (SBM) schemes. With the SBM scheme, anthropogenic aerosols notably invigorate convective intensity and precipitation, causing better agreement between the simulated DCCs and observations; this effect is absent with the Morrison scheme, mainly due to limitations of the saturation adjustment approach for droplet condensation and evaporation.
Yuying Wang, Zhanqing Li, Qiuyan Wang, Xiaoai Jin, Peng Yan, Maureen Cribb, Yanan Li, Cheng Yuan, Hao Wu, Tong Wu, Rongmin Ren, and Zhaoxin Cai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 915–926, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-915-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-915-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The unexpected increase in surface ozone concentration was found along with the reduced anthropogenic emissions during the 2019 Chinese Spring Festival in Beijing. The enhanced atmospheric oxidation capacity could promote the formation of secondary aerosols, especially sulfate, which offset the decrease in PM2.5 mass concentration. This phenomenon was likely to exist throughout the entire Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region to be a contributing factor to the haze during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Johannes Quaas, Antti Arola, Brian Cairns, Matthew Christensen, Hartwig Deneke, Annica M. L. Ekman, Graham Feingold, Ann Fridlind, Edward Gryspeerdt, Otto Hasekamp, Zhanqing Li, Antti Lipponen, Po-Lun Ma, Johannes Mülmenstädt, Athanasios Nenes, Joyce E. Penner, Daniel Rosenfeld, Roland Schrödner, Kenneth Sinclair, Odran Sourdeval, Philip Stier, Matthias Tesche, Bastiaan van Diedenhoven, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15079–15099, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15079-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15079-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Anthropogenic pollution particles – aerosols – serve as cloud condensation nuclei and thus increase cloud droplet concentration and the clouds' reflection of sunlight (a cooling effect on climate). This Twomey effect is poorly constrained by models and requires satellite data for better quantification. The review summarizes the challenges in properly doing so and outlines avenues for progress towards a better use of aerosol retrievals and better retrievals of droplet concentrations.
Sarah E. Benish, Hao He, Xinrong Ren, Sandra J. Roberts, Ross J. Salawitch, Zhanqing Li, Fei Wang, Yuying Wang, Fang Zhang, Min Shao, Sihua Lu, and Russell R. Dickerson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14523–14545, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14523-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14523-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Airborne observations of ozone and related pollutants show smog was pervasive in spring 2016 over Hebei Province, China. We find high amounts of ozone precursors throughout and even above the PBL, continuing to generate ozone at high rates to be potentially transported downwind. Concentrations even in the rural areas of this highly industrialized province promote widespread ozone production, and we show that to improve air quality over Hebei both NOx and VOCs should be targeted.
Jiwen Fan, Yuwei Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Jiaxi Hu, and Daniel Rosenfeld
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 14163–14182, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14163-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-14163-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the urbanization-induced land and aerosol impacts on convective clouds and precipitation over Houston. We find that Houston urbanization notably enhances storm intensity and precipitation, with the anthropogenic aerosol effect more significant. Urban land effect strengthens sea-breeze circulation, leading to a faster development of warm cloud into mixed-phase cloud and earlier rain. The anthropogenic aerosol effect accelerates the development of storms into deep convection.
Pengguo Zhao, Zhanqing Li, Hui Xiao, Fang Wu, Youtong Zheng, Maureen C. Cribb, Xiaoai Jin, and Yunjun Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 13379–13397, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13379-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13379-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We discussed the different aerosol effects on lightning in plateau and basin regions of Sichuan, southwestern China. In the plateau area, the aerosol concentration is low, and aerosols (via microphysical effects) inhibit the process of warm rain and stimulate convection and lightning activity. In the basin region, however, aerosols tend to show a significant radiative effect (reducing the solar radiation reaching the surface by absorbing and scattering) and inhibit the lightning.
Wenchao Han, Zhanqing Li, Fang Wu, Yuwei Zhang, Jianping Guo, Tianning Su, Maureen Cribb, Jiwen Fan, Tianmeng Chen, Jing Wei, and Seoung-Soo Lee
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6479–6493, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6479-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6479-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Observational data and model simulation were used to analyze the daytime urban heat island intensity (UHII) under polluted and clean conditions in China. We found that aerosols reduce the UHII in summer but increase the UHII in winter. Two mechanisms, the aerosol radiative effect (ARE) and the aerosol dynamic effect (ADE), behave differently in summer and winter. In summer, the UHII is mainly affected by the ARE, and the ADE is weak, and the opposite is the case in winter.
Tianning Su, Zhanqing Li, Chengcai Li, Jing Li, Wenchao Han, Chuanyang Shen, Wangshu Tan, Jing Wei, and Jianping Guo
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 3713–3724, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-3713-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-3713-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We study the role of aerosol vertical distribution in thermodynamic stability and PBL development. Under different aerosol vertical structures, the diurnal cycles of PBLH and PM2.5 show distinct characteristics. Large differences in the heating rate affect atmospheric buoyancy and stability differently under different aerosol structures. As a result, the aerosol–PBL interaction can be strengthened by the inverse aerosol structure and potentially neutralized by the decreasing structure.
Seoung Soo Lee, George Kablick III, Zhanqing Li, Chang Hoon Jung, Yong-Sang Choi, Junshik Um, and Won Jun Choi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 3357–3371, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-3357-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-3357-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This paper examines a thunderstorm-type cloud that is triggered by wildfire. This paper shows that this cloud has a substantial impact on air components such as water vapor that act as a global warming agent together with carbon dioxide. This paper also shows that that impact is strongly dependent on fire intensity. This raises a possibility that clouds, which are triggered by fire, act as a modulator of climate changes and this function as a modulator is altered by how intense fire is.
Jing Wei, Zhanqing Li, Maureen Cribb, Wei Huang, Wenhao Xue, Lin Sun, Jianping Guo, Yiran Peng, Jing Li, Alexei Lyapustin, Lei Liu, Hao Wu, and Yimeng Song
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 3273–3289, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-3273-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-3273-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This study introduced an enhanced space–time extremely randomized trees (STET) approach to improve the 1 km resolution ground-level PM2.5 estimates across China using the remote sensing technology. The STET model shows high accuracy and strong predictive power and appears to outperform most models reported by previous studies. Thus, it is of great importance for future air pollution studies at medium- or small-scale areas and will be applied to generate the historical PM2.5 dataset across China.
Xinxin Fan, Jieyao Liu, Fang Zhang, Lu Chen, Don Collins, Weiqi Xu, Xiaoai Jin, Jingye Ren, Yuying Wang, Hao Wu, Shangze Li, Yele Sun, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 915–929, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-915-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-915-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol effects on visibility and climate are influenced by their hygroscopicity. By contrasting data from two techniques between summer and winter in Beijing, we investigate the effect of aerosol aging, mixing state, and local sources on its hygroscopicity. We revealed that inappropriate use of the density of BC and organics results in large uncertainty in calculating aerosols hygroscopicity. Our results are helpful for parameterization in models.
Xiaoai Jin, Yuying Wang, Zhanqing Li, Fang Zhang, Weiqi Xu, Yele Sun, Xinxin Fan, Guangyu Chen, Hao Wu, Jingye Ren, Qiuyan Wang, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 901–914, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-901-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-901-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study the aerosol liquid water content (ALWC) is determined from aerosol hygroscopic growth factor (GF) measurement (ALWCHTDMA) and also simulated by the ISORROPIA II thermodynamic model (ALWCISO). We found that ALWC contributed by organics (ALWCOrg) accounts for 30 % ± 22 % of the total ALWC in winter in Beijing. A case study reveals that ALWCOrg plays an important role in the formation of secondary aerosols through multiphase reactions at the initial stage of a heavy-haze episode.
Fei Wang, Zhanqing Li, Qi Jiang, Gaili Wang, Shuo Jia, Jing Duan, and Yuquan Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 14967–14977, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-14967-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-14967-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Though many laboratory, modeling, and field experimental studies on cloud seeding have been conducted for more than a half-century, assessing the effectiveness of cloud seeding is still very challenging due to the notorious difficulties in gaining convincing scientific evidences. The goals of this study are to evaluate any consequence of aircraft hygroscopic seeding and to develop a feasible method for analyzing the cloud seeding effect for stratocumulus clouds.
Daiwen Kang, Kristen M. Foley, Rohit Mathur, Shawn J. Roselle, Kenneth E. Pickering, and Dale J. Allen
Geosci. Model Dev., 12, 4409–4424, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-4409-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-4409-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the lightning production schemes in CMAQ as described in https://www.geosci-model-dev.net/12/3071/2019/gmd-12-3071-2019.html on model performance. The impact of lightning NOx from different schemes is evaluated in time and space using both ground–level network measurements and aloft (ozonesonde and aircraft) observations. These results provide users the benchmark model performance when the lightning NOx production schemes are applied.
Jianjun Liu and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 9515–9529, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-9515-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-9515-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses the data collected during the TCAP field campaign to investigate the aerosol properties and the influence of aerosol loading and composition on low-warm-cloud development and microphysical properties. The results indicated that the aerosols significantly weaken the dependence of cloud development on thermodynamic conditions. Aerosol first indirect effects estimated for aerosols with a low mass of organics were larger than those for aerosols with a high mass of organics.
Daiwen Kang, Kenneth E. Pickering, Dale J. Allen, Kristen M. Foley, David C. Wong, Rohit Mathur, and Shawn J. Roselle
Geosci. Model Dev., 12, 3071–3083, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-3071-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-3071-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Lightning strikes produce significant amount of nitrogen oxides and the resulting atmospheric chemistry causes one of the primary air pollutants, ground-level ozone, to change. In this paper, we documented the evolution of scientific updates for lightning-induced nitrogen oxides schemes in the CMAQ model. The updated observation-based schemes are good for retrospective applications, while the parameterized scheme can estimate lightning nitrogen oxides for applications without observations.
Yang Wang, Steffen Dörner, Sebastian Donner, Sebastian Böhnke, Isabelle De Smedt, Russell R. Dickerson, Zipeng Dong, Hao He, Zhanqing Li, Zhengqiang Li, Donghui Li, Dong Liu, Xinrong Ren, Nicolas Theys, Yuying Wang, Yang Wang, Zhenzhu Wang, Hua Xu, Jiwei Xu, and Thomas Wagner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 5417–5449, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-5417-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-5417-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
A MAX-DOAS instrument was operated to derive tropospheric vertical profiles of NO2, SO2, HONO, HCHO, CHOCHO and aerosols in the central western North China Plain in May and June 2016. The MAX-DOAS results are verified by comparisons with a collocated Raman lidar, overpass aircraft measurements, a sun photometer and in situ measurements. The contributions of regional transports and local emissions to the pollutants are evaluated based on case studies and statistic analysis.
Hao He, Xinrong Ren, Sarah E. Benish, Zhanqing Li, Fei Wang, Yuying Wang, Timothy P. Canty, Xiaobo Dong, Feng Lv, Yongtao Hu, Tong Zhu, and Russell R. Dickerson
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-248, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-248, 2019
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted aircraft measurements of air pollution in the North China Plain. Concentrations of air pollutants higher than the air quality standards were observed. Our modeling study indicates that the rate of ozone (one major air pollutant) production is determined by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which is confirmed by satellite observations. Currently, VOCs are not well regulated in China, so this study suggests the future direction of control measures to improve air quality in China.
Cheng Yuan, William K. M. Lau, Zhanqing Li, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1901–1913, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1901-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1901-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Using MERRA-2 reanalysis daily data from 2001 to 2015, we found that during strong South Asian summer monsoon years, the Asian monsoon anticyclone is more expansive and shifted northward. All the CO, carbonaceous aerosols and dust are found to be more abundant in the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL). ATAL trends are associated with increasing strength of the AMA, with earlier and enhanced vertical transport of ATAL constituents by enhanced overshooting convection over the transport regions.
Jun Chen, Zhanqing Li, Min Lv, Yuying Wang, Wei Wang, Yingjie Zhang, Haofei Wang, Xing Yan, Yele Sun, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 1327–1342, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1327-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-1327-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The hygroscopic growth function of aerosol particles is derived from Raman lidar, whose dependence on aerosol chemical composition is investigated using data from an aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) and a hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyzer (H-TDMA) deployed in China. Two distinct cases were chosen with marked differences in their hygroscopic growth, which was fitted by the Kasten model. The differences were attributed to different amounts of chemical species.
Tianning Su, Zhanqing Li, and Ralph Kahn
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 15921–15935, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15921-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15921-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Surface particulate concentration has often been estimated from column-integrated aerosol optical depth (AOD). Their relationship is affected by various factors, such as the planetary layer height, meteorology (atmospheric stability, wind, relative humidity, etc.), and topography, which are investigated thoroughly using a combination of ~1500 surface station datasets, two ground-based lidars, and CALIPSO space-based lidar measurements made across China. Improved estimation of PM2.5 is achieved.
Caroline R. Nowlan, Xiong Liu, Scott J. Janz, Matthew G. Kowalewski, Kelly Chance, Melanie B. Follette-Cook, Alan Fried, Gonzalo González Abad, Jay R. Herman, Laura M. Judd, Hyeong-Ahn Kwon, Christopher P. Loughner, Kenneth E. Pickering, Dirk Richter, Elena Spinei, James Walega, Petter Weibring, and Andrew J. Weinheimer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 5941–5964, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5941-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-5941-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The GEO-CAPE Airborne Simulator (GCAS) was developed in support of future air quality and ocean color geostationary satellite missions. GCAS flew in its first field campaign on NASA's King Air B-200 aircraft during DISCOVER-AQ Texas in 2013. In this paper, we determine nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde columns over Houston from the GCAS air quality sensor and compare those results with measurements made from ground-based Pandora spectrometers and in situ airborne instruments.
Yingjie Zhang, Wei Du, Yuying Wang, Qingqing Wang, Haofei Wang, Haitao Zheng, Fang Zhang, Hongrong Shi, Yuxuan Bian, Yongxiang Han, Pingqing Fu, Francesco Canonaco, André S. H. Prévôt, Tong Zhu, Pucai Wang, Zhanqing Li, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 14637–14651, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-14637-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-14637-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We have a comprehensive characterization of aerosol chemistry and particle growth events at a downwind site of a highly polluted city in the North China Plain. Aerosol particles at the urban downwind site were highly aged and mainly from secondary formation. New particle growth events were also frequently observed on both clean and polluted days. While both sulfate and SOA played important roles in particle growth during clean periods, SOA was more important than sulfate during polluted events.
Jianping Guo, Huan Liu, Zhanqing Li, Daniel Rosenfeld, Mengjiao Jiang, Weixin Xu, Jonathan H. Jiang, Jing He, Dandan Chen, Min Min, and Panmao Zhai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 13329–13343, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-13329-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-13329-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Objective analysis has been used to discriminate between the local- and synoptic-scale precipitations based on wind and pressure fields at 500 hPa. Aerosol is found to be linked with changes in the vertical structure of precipitation, depending on precipitation regimes. There has been some success in separating aerosol and meteorological influences on precipitation.
Qianqian Wang, Zhanqing Li, Jianping Guo, Chuanfeng Zhao, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 12797–12816, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12797-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12797-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Based on 11-year data of lightning flashes, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and composion, and meteorological variables, we investigated the roles of aerosol and meteorological variables in lightning. Pronounced differences in lightning were found between clean and polluted conditions. Systematic changes of boomerang shape were found in lightning frequency with AOD, with a turning point around AOD = 0.3, beyond which lightning activity is saturated for smoke aerosols but always suppressed by dust.
Yuying Wang, Zhanqing Li, Yingjie Zhang, Wei Du, Fang Zhang, Haobo Tan, Hanbing Xu, Tianyi Fan, Xiaoai Jin, Xinxin Fan, Zipeng Dong, Qiuyan Wang, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 11739–11752, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-11739-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-11739-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Very different aerosol hygroscopicities and mixing states were found at these sites in the North China Plain. The PDF for 40–200 nm particles showed the particles were highly aged and internally mixed at Xingtai because of high pollution and strong photochemical reactions. A good proxy for the chemical comical composition (kappa = 0.31) in calculating CCN concentration was found. Importantly, our study investigated the influence of industrial emissions on the aerosol properties.
Fei Wang, Zhanqing Li, Xinrong Ren, Qi Jiang, Hao He, Russell R. Dickerson, Xiaobo Dong, and Feng Lv
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 8995–9010, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-8995-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-8995-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol optical profiles are characterized for the first time over the North China Plain by aircraft measurements. Statistical summaries of the vertical distributions of aerosol optical properties focused on four target areas in the NCP region. Three typical PBL structures were found and the aerosol scattering coefficients showed different correlations with ambient RH during the field campaign. The air mass back trajectories of three PBL structures were also discussed.
Jingye Ren, Fang Zhang, Yuying Wang, Don Collins, Xinxin Fan, Xiaoai Jin, Weiqi Xu, Yele Sun, Maureen Cribb, and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 6907–6921, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-6907-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-6907-2018, 2018
Jungbin Mok, Nickolay A. Krotkov, Omar Torres, Hiren Jethva, Zhanqing Li, Jhoon Kim, Ja-Ho Koo, Sujung Go, Hitoshi Irie, Gordon Labow, Thomas F. Eck, Brent N. Holben, Jay Herman, Robert P. Loughman, Elena Spinei, Seoung Soo Lee, Pradeep Khatri, and Monica Campanelli
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 2295–2311, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2295-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2295-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Measuring aerosol absorption from the shortest ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths is important for studies of climate, tropospheric photochemistry, human health, and agricultural productivity. We estimate the accuracy and demonstrate consistency of aerosol absorption retrievals from different instruments, after accounting for spectrally varying surface albedo and gaseous absorption.
Tianyi Fan, Xiaohong Liu, Po-Lun Ma, Qiang Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Yiquan Jiang, Fang Zhang, Chuanfeng Zhao, Xin Yang, Fang Wu, and Yuying Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 1395–1417, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1395-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-1395-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We found that 22–28 % of the low AOD bias in eastern China simulated by the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 can be improved by using a new emission inventory. The concentrations of primary aerosols are closely related to the emission, while the seasonal variations of secondary aerosols depend more on atmospheric processes. This study highlights the importance of improving both the emission and atmospheric processes in modeling the atmospheric aerosols and their radiative effects.
Mengjiao Jiang, Jinqin Feng, Zhanqing Li, Ruiyu Sun, Yu-Tai Hou, Yuejian Zhu, Bingcheng Wan, Jianping Guo, and Maureen Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 13967–13982, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13967-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13967-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Aerosol–cloud interactions have been recognized as playing an important role in precipitation. As a benchmark evaluation of model results that exclude aerosol effects, the operational precipitation forecast (before any aerosol effects included) is evaluated using multiple datasets with the goal of determining if there is any link between the model bias and aerosol loading. The forecast model overestimates light and underestimates heavy rain. Aerosols suppress light rain and enhance heavy rain.
Hyun-Deok Choi, Hongyu Liu, James H. Crawford, David B. Considine, Dale J. Allen, Bryan N. Duncan, Larry W. Horowitz, Jose M. Rodriguez, Susan E. Strahan, Lin Zhang, Xiong Liu, Megan R. Damon, and Stephen D. Steenrod
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 8429–8452, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8429-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8429-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluate global ozone–carbon monoxide (O3–CO) correlations in a chemistry and transport model during July–August with TES-Aura satellite observations and examine the sensitivity of model simulations to input meteorological data and emissions. Results show that O3–CO correlations may be used effectively to constrain the sources of regional tropospheric O3 in global 3-D models, especially for those regions where convective transport of pollution plays an important role.
Zipeng Dong, Zhanqing Li, Xing Yu, Maureen Cribb, Xingmin Li, and Jin Dai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 7997–8009, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7997-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-7997-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Opposite trends in aerosol loading between the lower and upper planetary boundary layer are found on a wide range of timescales and from different types of data acquired by various platforms in China. The reversal trend is consistent with the strong vertical gradients in the aerosol-induced atmospheric heating rate that unevenly modifies the atmospheric temperature profile and alters the stability differently. The findings have multiple implications in understanding and combating air pollution.
Wei Du, Jian Zhao, Yuying Wang, Yingjie Zhang, Qingqing Wang, Weiqi Xu, Chen Chen, Tingting Han, Fang Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Pingqing Fu, Jie Li, Zifa Wang, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 6797–6811, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-6797-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-6797-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted the first simultaneous measurements of size-resolved particle number concentrations at ground level and 260 m in urban Beijing. The vertical differences strongly depend on particle sizes, with accumulation-mode particles being highly correlated at the two heights. We further demonstrated that regional emission controls have a dominant impact on accumulation-mode particles, while the influences on Aitken particles were much smaller due to the enhanced NPF events.
Yuying Wang, Fang Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Haobo Tan, Hanbing Xu, Jingye Ren, Jian Zhao, Wei Du, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 5239–5251, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5239-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5239-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
A series of strict emission control measures were implemented in Beijing and the surrounding seven provinces to ensure good air quality during the 2015 China Victory Day parade, rendering a unique opportunity to investigate anthropogenic impact of aerosol properties. Submicron aerosol hygroscopicity and volatility were measured during and after the control period. By comparison we found aerosol particles became more hydrophobic and volatile due to the emission control measures.
Jian Zhao, Wei Du, Yingjie Zhang, Qingqing Wang, Chen Chen, Weiqi Xu, Tingting Han, Yuying Wang, Pingqing Fu, Zifa Wang, Zhanqing Li, and Yele Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 3215–3232, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3215-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3215-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted aerosol particle composition measurements at ground level and 260 m with two aerosol mass spectrometers in Beijing during the 2015 China Victory Day parade. Our results showed a stronger impact of emission controls on inorganic aerosol than OA. A larger decrease in more oxidized SOA than the less oxidized one during the control period was also observed. Our results indicate that emission controls and the changes in meteorological conditions have affected SOA formation mechanisms.
Yucong Miao, Jianping Guo, Shuhua Liu, Huan Liu, Zhanqing Li, Wanchun Zhang, and Panmao Zhai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 3097–3110, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3097-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-3097-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Three synoptic patterns associated with heavy aerosol pollution in Beijing were identified using an objective classification approach. Relationships between synoptic patterns, aerosol pollution, and boundary layer height in Beijing during summer were revealed as well. Further, factors/mechanisms leading to the low BLHs in Beijing were unraveled. The key findings have implications for understanding the crucial roles that meteorological factors play in forecasting aerosol pollution in Beijing.
Jianping Guo, Yucong Miao, Yong Zhang, Huan Liu, Zhanqing Li, Wanchun Zhang, Jing He, Mengyun Lou, Yan Yan, Lingen Bian, and Panmao Zhai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 13309–13319, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13309-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-13309-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The large-scale PBL climatology from sounding observations is still lacking in China. This work investigated the BLH characterization at diurnal, monthly and seasonal timescales throughout China, showing large geographic and meteorological dependences. BLH is, on average, negatively (positively) associated with the surface pressure and lower tropospheric stability (wind speed and temperature). Cloud tends to suppress the development of the PBL, which has implications for air quality forecasts.
Fang Zhang, Zhanqing Li, Yanan Li, Yele Sun, Zhenzhu Wang, Ping Li, Li Sun, Pucai Wang, Maureen Cribb, Chuanfeng Zhao, Tianyi Fan, Xin Yang, and Qingqing Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 5413–5425, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-5413-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-5413-2016, 2016
T. P. Canty, L. Hembeck, T. P. Vinciguerra, D. C. Anderson, D. L. Goldberg, S. F. Carpenter, D. J. Allen, C. P. Loughner, R. J. Salawitch, and R. R. Dickerson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 10965–10982, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-10965-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-10965-2015, 2015
F. Zhang, Y. Li, Z. Li, L. Sun, R. Li, C. Zhao, P. Wang, Y. Sun, X. Liu, J. Li, P. Li, G. Ren, and T. Fan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 13423–13437, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13423-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13423-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric aerosol particles acting as CCN are pivotal elements of the hydrological cycle and climate change. In this study, we measured and characterized NCCN in relatively clean and polluted air during the AC3Exp campaign conducted at Xianghe, China, in summer 2013. We found that aerosol particle hygroscopicity and activation are more complex for heavy pollution particles because of the diversity in particle composition and mixing state. We have also shown the possibility of using bulk κc.
Hongru Yan, Zhanqing Li, Jianping Huang, Maureen Cribb, and Jianjun Liu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 7113–7124, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7113-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7113-2014, 2014
Jianjun Liu and Zhanqing Li
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 471–483, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-471-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-471-2014, 2014
T. Logan, B. Xi, X. Dong, Z. Li, and M. Cribb
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 2253–2265, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-2253-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-2253-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Clouds and Precipitation | Research Activity: Machine Learning | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Physics (physical properties and processes)
Technical note: Emulation of a large-eddy simulator for stratocumulus clouds in a general circulation model
Kalle Nordling, Jukka-Pekka Keskinen, Sami Romakkaniemi, Harri Kokkola, Petri Räisänen, Antti Lipponen, Antti-Ilari Partanen, Jaakko Ahola, Juha Tonttila, Muzaffer Ege Alper, Hannele Korhonen, and Tomi Raatikainen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 869–890, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-869-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-869-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our results show that the global model is stable and it provides meaningful results. This way we can include a physics-based presentation of sub-grid physics (physics which happens on a 100 m scale) in the global model, whose resolution is on a 100 km scale.
Cited articles
Altaratz, O., Koren, I., Yair, Y., and Price, C.: Lightning response to smoke from Amazonian fires, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L07801, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL042679, 2010.
Bang, S. D. and Zipser, E. J.: Seeking reasons for the differences in size spectra of electrified storms over land and ocean, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 121, 9048–9068, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JD025150, 2016.
Bartholomew, M. J.: Impact Disdrometers Instrument Handbook (No. DOE/SCARM-TR-111). DOE Office of Science Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program (United States), https://doi.org/10.2172/1251384, 2016.
Bell, T. L., Rosenfeld, D., Kim, K. M., Yoo, J. M., Lee, M. I., and Hahnenberger, M.: Midweek increase in US summer rain and storm heights suggests air pollution invigorates rainstorms, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 113, D02209, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD008623, 2008.
Bell, T. L., Rosenfeld, D., and Kim, K. M.: Weekly cycle of lightning: Evidence of storm invigoration by pollution, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L23805, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL040915, 2009.
Carey, L. D. and Buffalo, K. M.: Environmental control of cloud-to-ground lightning polarity in severe storms, Mon. Weather Rev., 135, 1327–1353, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR3361.1, 2007.
Chaudhuri, S.: Convective energies in forecasting severe thunderstorms with one hidden layer neural net and variable learning rate back propagation algorithm, Asia-Pac. J. Atmos. Sci., 46, 173–183, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13143-010-0016-1, 2010.
Chaudhuri, S. and Middey, A.: A composite stability index for dichotomous forecast of thunderstorms, Theor. Appl. Climatol., 110, 457–469, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-012-0640-z, 2012.
Chen, Q., Fan, J., Hagos, S., Gustafson Jr, W. I., and Berg, L. K.: Roles of wind shear at different vertical levels: Cloud system organization and properties, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 120, 6551–6574, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JD023253, 2015.
Cooper, M. A. and Holle, R. L.: Reducing lightning injuries worldwide, Springer International Publishing, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77563-0, 2019.
Doswell III, C. A., Brooks, H. E., and Maddox, R. A.: Flash flood forecasting: An ingredients-based methodology, Weather Forecast., 11, 560–581, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(1996)011<0560:FFFAIB>2.0.CO;2, 1996.
Flynn, D., Shi, Y., Lim, K. S., and Riihimaki, L.: Cloud Type Classification (cldtype) Value-Added Product (No. DOE/SC-ARM-TR-200). DOE Office of Science Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program (United States), https://doi.org/10.2172/1377405, 2017.
Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO): MERRA-2 tavg1_2d_aer_Nx: 2d, 1-Hourly, Time-averaged, Single-Level, Assimilation, Aerosol Diagnostics V5.12.4, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), accessed: April 2023, https://doi.org/10.5067/KLICLTZ8EM9D, 2015.
Goldberg, D. L., Harkey, M., de Foy, B., Judd, L., Johnson, J., Yarwood, G., and Holloway, T.: Evaluating NOx emissions and their effect on O3 production in Texas using TROPOMI NO2 and HCHO, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 10875–10900, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-10875-2022, 2022.
Green, D. M. and Swets, J. A.: Signal detection theory and psychophysics, Wiley, New York, vol. 1, 1969–2012, 1966.
He, J. and Loboda, T. V.: Modeling cloud-to-ground lightning probability in Alaskan tundra through the integration of Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model and machine learning method, Environ. Res. Lett., 15, 115009, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abbc3b, 2020.
Heckman, S.: ENTLN status update, XV international conference on atmospheric electricity, National Weather Service, Norman, Oklahoma, USA, 15–20 June 2014, 15–20, https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/users/mansell/icae2014/preprints/Heckman_103.pdf (last access: March 2023), 2014.
Hersbach, H., Bell, B., Berrisford, P., Hirahara, S., Horányi, A., Muñoz-Sabater, J., Nicolas, J., Peubey, C., Radu, R., and Schepers, D.: The ERA5 global reanalysis, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 146, 1999–2049, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.3803, 2020.
Hersbach, H., Bell, B., Berrisford, P., Biavati, G., Horányi, A., Muñoz Sabater, J., Nicolas, J., Peubey, C., Radu, R., Rozum, I., Schepers, D., Simmons, A., Soci, C., Dee, D., and Thépaut, J-N.: ERA5 hourly data on pressure levels from 1940 to present, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Climate Data Store (CDS) [data set], https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.bd0915c6, 2023.
Holton, J. R.: An introduction to dynamic meteorology, Am. J. Phys., 41, 752–754, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1987371, 1973.
Hu, J., Rosenfeld, D., Ryzhkov, A., Zrnic, D., Williams, E., Zhang, P., Snyder, J. C., Zhang, R., and Weitz, R.: Polarimetric radar convective cell tracking reveals large sensitivity of cloud precipitation and electrification properties to CCN, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 124, 12194–12205, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD030857, 2019.
Jensen, M., Giangrande, S., Fairless, T., and Zhou, A.: Interpolated Sonde (INTERPOLATEDSONDE), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1095316, 1999.
Jensen, M., Giangrande, S., Fairless, T., and Zhou, A.: Interpolatedsonde, Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN, USA, Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center, https://doi.org/10.5439/1095316, 1998.
Johnson, K., Jensen, M., and Giangrande, S.: Active Remote Sensing of CLouds (ARSCL) product using Ka-band ARM Zenith Radars (ARSCLKAZR1KOLLIAS), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1228768, 2011.
Johnson, K., Giangrande, S., and Toto, T.: Active Remote Sensing of CLouds (ARSCL) product using Ka-band ARM Zenith Radars (ARSCLKAZR1KOLLIAS), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1393437, 2014.
Koontz, A., Uin, J., Andrews, E., Enekwizu, O., Hayes, C., and Salwen, C.: Cloud Condensation Nuclei Particle Counter (AOSCCN2COLAAVG), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1323894, 2017.
La Fata, A., Amato, F., Bernardi, M., D'Andrea, M., Procopio, R., and Fiori, E.: Cloud-to-Ground lightning nowcasting using Machine Learning, 35th International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP) and XVI International Symposium on Lightning Protection (SIPDA), vol. 1, 1–6, IEEE, 20–26 September 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka, https://doi.org/10.1109/ICLPandSIPDA54065.2021.9627428, 2021.
Lal, D. M., Ghude, S. D., Singh, J., and Tiwari, S.: Relationship between size of cloud ice and lightning in the tropics, Adv. Meteorol., 2014, 471864, https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/471864, 2014.
Lapp, J. and Saylor, J.: Correlation between lightning types, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L11804, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029476, 2007.
Level 3 and 4 Regridder and Subsetter Information: https://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/information/documents?keywords=grid&title=Level%203%20and%204%20Regridder%20and%20Subsetter%20Information (last access: March 2023).
Li, Z., Wang, Y., Guo, J., Zhao, C., Cribb, M. C., Dong, X., Fan, J., Gong, D., Huang, J., and Jiang, M.: East Asian study of tropospheric aerosols and their impact on regional clouds, precipitation, and climate (EAST-AIRCPC), J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 124, 13026–13054, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD030758, 2019.
Lynn, B. H., Yair, Y., Price, C., Kelman, G., and Clark, A. J.: Predicting cloud-to-ground and intracloud lightning in weather forecast models, Weather Forecast., 27, 1470–1488, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-11-00144.1, 2012.
Medina, B. L., Carey, L. D., Bitzer, P. M., Lang, T. J., and Deierling, W.: The Relation of Environmental Conditions with Charge Structure in Central Argentina Thunderstorms, Earth Space Science, 9, e2021EA002193, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021EA002193, 2022.
Mostajabi, A., Finney, D. L., Rubinstein, M., and Rachidi, F.: Nowcasting lightning occurrence from commonly available meteorological parameters using machine learning techniques, Npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 2, 41, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-019-0098-0, 2019.
Orville, R. E., Huffines, G., Nielsen-Gammon, J., Zhang, R., Ely, B., Steiger, S., Phillips, S., Allen, S., and Read, W.: Enhancement of cloud-to-ground lightning over Houston, Texas, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 2597–2600, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001GL012990, 2001.
Pawar, S., Lal, D., and Murugavel, P.: Lightning characteristics over central India during Indian summer monsoon, Atmos. Res., 106, 44–49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2011.11.007, 2012.
Pérez-Invernón, F. J., Gordillo-Vázquez, F. J., Huntrieser, H., and Jöckel, P.: Variation of lightning-ignited wildfire patterns under climate change, Nat. Commun., 14, 739, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36500-5, 2023.
Pickering, K. E., Thompson, A. M., Tao, W. K., and Kucsera, T. L.: Upper tropospheric ozone production following mesoscale convection during STEP/EMEX, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 98, 8737–8749, https://doi.org/10.1029/93JD00875, 1993.
Politovich, M. K. and Cooper, W. A.: Variability of the supersaturation in cumulus clouds, J. Atmos. Sci., 45, 1651–1664, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1988)045<1651:VOTSIC>,2.0.CO;2, 1988.
Price, C. and Federmesser, B.: Lightning-rainfall relationships in Mediterranean winter thunderstorms, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L07813, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL024794, 2006.
Price, C. and Rind, D.: A simple lightning parameterization for calculating global lightning distributions, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 97, 9919–9933, https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD00719, 1992.
Price, C. and Rind, D.: What determines the cloud-to-ground lightning fraction in thunderstorms?, Geophys. Res. Lett., 20, 463–466, https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL00226, 1993.
Price, C. and Rind, D.: Modeling global lightning distributions in a general circulation model, Mon. Weather Rev., 122, 1930–1939, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1994)122<1930:MGLDIA>,2.0.CO;2, 1994.
Richardson, Y. P., Droegemeier, K. K., and Davies-Jones, R. P.: The influence of horizontal environmental variability on numerically simulated convective storms. Part I: Variations in vertical shear, Mon. Weather Rev., 135, 3429–3455, https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR3463.1, 2007.
Romps, D. M., Seeley, J. T., Vollaro, D., and Molinari, J.: Projected increase in lightning strikes in the United States due to global warming, Science, 346, 851–854, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1259100, 2014.
Romps, D. M., Charn, A. B., Holzworth, R. H., Lawrence, W. E., Molinari, J., and Vollaro, D.: CAPE times P explains lightning over land but not the land-ocean contrast, Geophys. Res. Lett., 45, 12,623-612,630, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL080267, 2018.
Rutledge, S. A., Williams, E. R., and Keenan, T. D.: The down under Doppler and electricity experiment (DUNDEE): Overview and preliminary results, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 73, 3–16, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477(1992)073<0003:TDUDAE>,2.0.CO;2, 1992.
Scala, J. R., Garstang, M., Tao, W. k., Pickering, K. E., Thompson, A. M., Simpson, J., Kirchhoff, V. W., Browell, E. V., Sachse, G. W., and Torres, A. L.: Cloud draft structure and trace gas transport, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 95, 17015–17030, https://doi.org/10.1029/JD095iD10p17015, 1990.
Seo, E. K. and Liu, G.: Retrievals of cloud ice water path by combining ground cloud radar and satellite high-frequency microwave measurements near the ARM SGP site, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 110, D14203, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JD005727, 2005.
Sherwood, S. C., Phillips, V. T., and Wettlaufer, J.: Small ice crystals and the climatology of lightning, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L05804, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025242, 2006.
Sivaraman, C. and Zhang, D.: Planetary Boundary Layer Height (PBLHTMPL1SAWYERLI). Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1637942, 2009.
Stolz, D. C., Rutledge, S. A., Pierce, J. R., and van den Heever, S. C.: A global lightning parameterization based on statistical relationships among environmental factors, aerosols, and convective clouds in the TRMM climatology, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 122, 7461–7492, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JD026220, 2017.
Sun, C. and Liang, X.-Z.: Improving US extreme precipitation simulation: dependence on cumulus parameterization and underlying mechanism, Clim. Dynam., 55, 1325–1352, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-020-05328-w, 2020.
Sun, M., Liu, D., Qie, X., Mansell, E. R., Yair, Y., Fierro, A. O., Yuan, S., Chen, Z., and Wang, D.: Aerosol effects on electrification and lightning discharges in a multicell thunderstorm simulated by the WRF-ELEC model, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14141–14158, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14141-2021, 2021.
Takahashi, T.: Riming electrification as a charge generation mechanism in thunderstorms, J. Atmos. Sci., 35, 1536–1548, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1978)035<1536:REAACG>2.0.CO;2, 1978.
Thornton, J. A., Virts, K. S., Holzworth, R. H., and Mitchell, T. P.: Lightning enhancement over major oceanic shipping lanes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 44, 9102–9111, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL074982, 2017.
Tippett, M. K. and Koshak, W. J.: A baseline for the predictability of US cloud-to-ground lightning, Geophys. Res. Lett., 45, 10719–10728, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079750, 2018.
Uin, J., Andrews, E., Salwen, C., Enekwizu, O., and Hayes, C.: Cloud Condensation Nuclei Particle Counter (AOSCCN1COL), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1984587, 2011.
US EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Download Daily Data, US EPA [data set], https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data/download-daily-data, last access: April 2023.
Wall, C., Zipser, E., and Liu, C.: An investigation of the aerosol indirect effect on convective intensity using satellite observations, J. Atmos. Sci., 71, 430–447, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-13-0158.1, 2014.
Wang, D. and Bartholomew, M. J.: Video Disdrometer (VDIS), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1992988, 2011.
Wang, Q., Li, Z., Guo, J., Zhao, C., and Cribb, M.: The climate impact of aerosols on the lightning flash rate: is it detectable from long-term measurements?, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 12797–12816, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-12797-2018, 2018.
Wang, Y., Wan, Q., Meng, W., Liao, F., Tan, H., and Zhang, R.: Long-term impacts of aerosols on precipitation and lightning over the Pearl River Delta megacity area in China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 12421–12436, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-12421-2011, 2011.
Westcott, N. E.: Summertime cloud-to-ground lightning activity around major Midwestern urban areas, J. Appl. Meteorol. Clim., 34, 1633–1642, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450-34.7.1633, 1995.
Williams, E., Rosenfeld, D., Madden, N., Gerlach, J., Gears, N., Atkinson, L., Dunnemann, N., Frostrom, G., Antonio, M., and Biazon, B.: Contrasting convective regimes over the Amazon: Implications for cloud electrification, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 107, LBA 50-51–LBA 50-19, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000380, 2002.
Williams, E. R.: Meteorological aspects of thunderstorms, in: Handbook of atmospheric electrodynamics, CRC Press, 9780203719503, 27–60, 2017.
Williams, E. R., Weber, M., and Orville, R.: The relationship between lightning type and convective state of thunderclouds, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 94, 13213–13220, https://doi.org/10.1029/JD094iD11p13213, 1989.
Yoshida, S., Morimoto, T., Ushio, T., and Kawasaki, Z.: A fifth-power relationship for lightning activity from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite observations, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 114, D09104, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010370, 2009.
Yuan, T., Remer, L. A., Pickering, K. E., and Yu, H.: Observational evidence of aerosol enhancement of lightning activity and convective invigoration, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L04701, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL046052, 2011.
Zhang, Y., Seidel, D. J., and Zhang, S.: Trends in planetary boundary layer height over Europe, J. Climate, 26, 10071–10076, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00108.1, 2013.
Zhang, D., Shi, Y., and Riihimaki, L.: Cloud Type Classification (CLDTYPE), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility [data set], https://doi.org/10.5439/1349884, 1996.
Zhao, P., Li, Z., Xiao, H., Wu, F., Zheng, Y., Cribb, M. C., Jin, X., and Zhou, Y.: Distinct aerosol effects on cloud-to-ground lightning in the plateau and basin regions of Sichuan, Southwest China, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 13379–13397, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13379-2020, 2020.
Zhu, Y., Stock, M., Lapierre, J., and DiGangi, E.: Upgrades of the Earth networks total lightning network in 2021, Remote Sens.-Basel, 14, 2209, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14092209, 2022.
Short summary
Several machine learning models are applied to identify important variables affecting lightning occurrence in the vicinity of the Southern Great Plains ARM site during the summer months of 2012–2020. We find that the random forest model is the best predictor among common classifiers. We rank variables in terms of their effectiveness in nowcasting ENTLN lightning and identify geometric cloud thickness, rain rate and convective available potential energy (CAPE) as the most effective predictors.
Several machine learning models are applied to identify important variables affecting...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint