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On 19 July 2018 a lone, left-moving supercell was observed with GLM moving from eastern Kansas into western Missouri. The loop below has 1-min GLM Flash Extent Density with IR (UL),  1-min Average Flash Area with Visible (UR), 1-min Total Optical Energy (LL) and regional radar reflectivity (LR) at 5-min intervals.  This event was captured to document observed lightning...

As part of our impact weather responsibilities, NWS Huntsville issues Airport Weather Warnings (AWWs) for Huntsville International Airport (KHSV) and Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (Muscle Shoals; KMSL).  AWWs are issued for the threat to personnel working outside at the terminal and neighboring operations, not for the threat to aviation as a whole.  One of our criteria for AWW...

During the evening hours of June 27th, we noticed that GLM average flash area data was indicating a substantial flash from the main core of storms over northeast AL/northwest GA towards middle TN.  This occurred around June 28th, 0130Z-0140Z, and I have included both a screen shot and animation for this flash.  Though no DSS events were scheduled over this particular area, it would...

The HWT forecasters noted enhanced lightning activity in both merging and splitting convective cells. This trend is important for forecasters to be aware of, especially in the interest of issuing timely warnings and monitoring the intensity of discrete storms.

High-density, bright, and/or small flashes tend to be collocated with convection and strong updrafts. The color maps in the GLM gridded products effectively draw forecaster attention to areas with the most intense convection in broad-coverage systems. In these cases, the gridded products complement IR and radar well, providing a clearer picture on the situation, especially with warning operations.

One of the most often-used GLM applications is tracking convective evolution. The GLM has a high-resolution temporal scale, which allowed HWT forecasters to closely monitor the storm strength. It was also noted that spikes in GLM gridded products were collocated with rapid intensification. These trends would aid forecasters in warning operations and overall environmental awareness.

GLM gridded products (especially Average Flash Area) captured the areal extent of lightning better than ground-based lightning detection networks. According to HWT forecasters, this information would be invaluable to warning-issuance operations, public outreach regarding the dangers of lightning, and debriefings with emergency personnel.

The viewing angle influences the depiction of GLM observations but is straightforward to account for with the proper knowledge of GLM detection capabilities.  This line of severe storms in the upper Great Plains illustrates several important aspects of the GLM observations.    The earliest frames illustrate the side-cloud illumination that can result from the steep viewing angle... ...

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