Detecting convective induced turbulence via total lightning sensing

In this paper, we research a prototype Convective-Induced Turbulence (CIT) hazard detection system for commercial aviation based on Total Lightning Sensing (TLS) as an indicator of the location and severity of in-cloud CIT. Total lightning is the combination of Cloud-to-Ground (CG) and In-Cloud (IC) lightning, and has been shown to correlate well with storm dynamics. Total lightning activity will be measured globally at high temporal resolution from total lightning detectors onboard future geostationary satellites. We investigate the relationship between IC convective turbulence and total lightning measurements, and determine the skill of total lightning as an indicator of in-cloud CIT. Our design is based on existing satellite-based data; we will not mount any new hardware or software onboard any aircraft, so we avoid high implementation costs related to airborne measurement systems. Our solution has the potential of enhancing the safety of flight for aircraft in the Continental United States (CONUS) as well as over oceanic airspaces (where currently no CIT information is available for commercial aviation).