Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
ACP
Articles | Volume 26, issue 16
Articles | Volume 26, issue 16
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11645-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11645-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 26, issue 16
Research article
 | 
19 Aug 2026
Research article |  | 19 Aug 2026

Radar data shows graupel and increased turbulence near small-scale intermittent lightning discharges at the top of intense thunderstorms

Reinaart van Loon, Jelle D. Assink, Olaf Scholten, Brian M. Hare, Hidde Leijnse, and Aarnout J. van Delden

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Short summary
Comparing weather radar to high resolution lightning images, we try to learn about sparkles; small-scale lightning that flash intermittently in the top of intense thunderstorms. Near sparkles, the radar data shows much turbulence and a particular type of ice particles, called graupel. The findings support previous hypotheses regarding the physics of sparkles. Perhaps the combination of graupel and enhanced turbulence leads to small pockets of charge, which explains the small extent of sparkles.
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