Electrical structure and microphysics of thunderstorms during the GoAmazon2014/5 experiment

• Grant number: 25/11452-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Rachel Ifanger Albrecht
• Grantee: Luiza de Britto Soares Correa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/04358-9 - Trace gases-aerosols-cloud interactions in Amazonia: from bioaerosols emissions to large-scale impacts (GAIA), AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

This project aims to investigate the electrical and microphysical structure of storms observed in the Amazon region during the GoAmazon2014/5 campaign. By integrating X-band polarimetric radar data and total lightning detection sensors, the characteristics of the microphysical structure will be analyzed through the distribution of hydrometeors in the warm, mixed and cold phase regions of the storms. The main focus is to understand how the frequency and polarity of intra-cloud (IN) and cloud-to-ground (NS) electrical discharges relate to the vertical microphysical properties of the storms. Variables such as differential reflectivity (ZDR) and specific differential phase (KDP) will be evaluated to infer the presence of supercooled water, graupel and ice crystals, which play a fundamental role in collisional electrification. From the height of the discharges and their polarity, it will be possible to infer the vertical position of the centers of positive and negative charge in the clouds. The methodology includes hydrometeor classification, calculation of derived parameters such as ice mass, and statistical analysis of storms with different levels of electrical activity. The expected results will contribute to the advancement of the understanding of tropical cloud electrification processes.