Comparison between Lightning Observation by SAFIR and Meteorological Radar Echo

Abstract

SAFIR (Systeme de Surveillance et d' Alerte Foudre par Interferometrie Radioelectrique) has been equipped and operated since June 12th, 1992 as a cooperative project among Osaka University, Kansai Electric Power Co., INC. and a French manufacturer DIMENSIONS. The operational coverage includes Northern Kin-ki District, Wakasa District and Hokuriku District. To evaluate the SAFIR system performance, we chose both the summer thunderstorm active area and the winter thunderstorm area. That meant we intended to evaluate the system performance through the summer thunderstorm activity and to apply the system to winter thunderstorm monitoring. As a method for evaluation, the cross correlation between the radar echo pattern and the distribution pattern of lightning discharge was calculated. We obtained the high cross correlation and got to the conclusion that the accurate location of SAFIR was proved statistically. We also show the case study of the occurrence of a ground flash to demonstrate the function of lightning warning by SAFIR.