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Lang et al. 2004
Lang, T.J., Rutledge, S.A. and Wiens, K.C. (2004). Origins of positive cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in the stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2004GL019823. issn: 0094-8276.

The origins of positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) lightning in the stratiform region of a leading-line, trailing-stratiform mesoscale convective system (MCS) are investigated. Platforms include radars, NLDN data, and a VHF 3-D lightning mapping system. This study examines a small asymmetric MCS that occurred near the Colorado-Kansas border in June 2000. In this storm 39 of the 269 +CGs produced over a nearly 5-hour period came to ground within the stratiform region. Of these, 30 initiated in the leading convective line and propagated rearward before coming to ground. Nine other +CGs originated within the stratiform region. Stratiform +CGs were observed to propagate mostly horizontally through vertically thin layers. The observations suggest that stratiform charge is a conduit for +CG lightning from the convective line, and can initiate +CGs as well.

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Abstract

Keywords
Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric electricity, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Lightning, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Mesoscale meteorology
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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