Articles | Volume 26, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11091-2026
© Author(s) 2026. 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-26-11091-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
07 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 07 Aug 2026
| 07 Aug 2026
Physical Interpretation and Implications of Convective Impulses in Thunderstorms Based on Lightning and Polarimetric Radar Observations
Climate Change and Resource Utilization in Complex Terrain Regions Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu, 610225, China
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences & Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
Yijun Zhang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences & Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocean-land-atmosphere Boundary Dynamics and Climate Change & Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
Dong Zheng
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology & CMA Key Laboratory of Lightning, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Liangtao Xu
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology & CMA Key Laboratory of Lightning, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Wen Yao
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology & CMA Key Laboratory of Lightning, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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Short summary
In contrast to the relatively steady and vigorous convection observed in organized thunderstorms, convective impulses (CIs) within less organized, single-cell storms are inherently more challenging to predict. Here, a conceptual hypothesis is proposed to elucidate the physical mechanisms governing CI formation, supported by polarimetric radar and lightning observations and idealized numerical simulations. The results improve our knowledge of thunderstorm dynamics and microphysics.
In contrast to the relatively steady and vigorous convection observed in organized...
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