This study examines patterns of cloud-to-ground flash enhancement and precipitation for the greater Atlanta, Georgia region. Previous research documented greater annual average flash densities (6 to 8 km-2/yr), and more flash days northeast of the city. Precipitation enhancement has also been observed through the use of both ground-based gauge and spaceborne radar data. Using an approach based in cartographic visualization and GIS, a climatology is developed to identify and characterize possible causal mechanisms and variability in flash production. To delineate how prevailing winds contribute to this hotspot, lightning flashes were selected for weak forcing conditions during the summer months (May through September, 1995 through 2003). The steering winds for the events that lower flashes in the northeast hotspot were clustered according to wind speed and direction to isolate variability in flash production around the city. Flash events were coupled to rainfall data (NARR) to visualize associated precipitation production. The spatial patterning of precipitation and cloud-to-ground lightning enhancement around Atlanta is indicative of urban alteration of convective processes. Downwind areas of increased flash activity and precipitation accumulation shifted around the urban area in accordance with steering winds from several directions. This research emonstrates the need for contextual analysis of urban lightning and precipitation patterns that accounts for the variability of localized conditions. / A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Geography in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2008. / October 10, 2008. / Urban Climates, Heat Islands, Data Mining / Includes bibliographical references. / Jon Anthony Stallins, Professor Directing Dissertation; Timothy Chapin, Outside Committee Member; James B. Elsner, Committee Member; Xiaojun Yang, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_176252 |
| Contributors | Rose, Leanna Shea (authoraut), Stallins, Jon Anthony (professor directing dissertation), Chapin, Timothy (outside committee member), Elsner, James B. (committee member), Yang, Xiaojun (committee member), Department of Geography (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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