Abstract

Current thunderstorm electric field data analysis methods provide only an incomplete understanding of thunderstorm structure and evolution, since these methods typically rely on data from a single weather balloon payload. The electric field measured by a single payload is dependent on both height and time, and it is not possible to separate the two. However, this limitation can be overcome if multiple payloads are used, enabling novel data analysis. First, considering a given time, measurements made by multiple instruments at different altitudes provide a view of the altitude profile of the electric field and how that profile evolves with time. Second, considering a given altitude, measurements made by multiple instruments as they pass that altitude at different times provide an estimate of the average current flowing past that altitude and how that current varies with height, though correction for field changes due to lightning is necessary. Third, such observations can be used as the target for simulated storm behavior in a fitting process to simultaneously determine properties of the charging current, storm geometry, and lightning properties. Tests of these techniques on simple simulations of thunderstorms and lightning show promise and suggest a useful path forward for multi-point measurement of thunderstorm electrical structures.