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The determination of the location and frequency of thunderstorms by a radio method
Author(s) -
Forrest J. S.
Publication year - 1943
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49706929806
Subject(s) - thunderstorm , atmospherics , meteorology , storm , lightning (connector) , environmental science , remote sensing , geology , geography , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics
A method is described of continuously recording atmospherics in order to obtain warning of the outbreak of thunderstorm and to determine the distance of the storm form the recording site. The apparatus consists essentially of a radio receiver tuned to approximately 150 kc./s. and connected to a continuous chart output recording meter; a modulated oscillattor is incorporated in order to maintain constant the characteristics of the receiver. The paper gives the results of three years' experience with this recording technique. By correlating the output recorder deflections with the known locations of electric power system breakdowns due to lightning, the relation between the recorder output and the storm distance has been determined. For distances up to 600 km. the equivalent field strength of atmospherics at 150 kc./s. has been found to be inversely proportional to the square root of the distance of the source. Many nearby storms have been recorded, and two or three hours' warning of the outbreak of the storm has always been give. Some examples are included of the location of thunderstorms by means of records made simultaneously at different sites. The recording apparatus is also used to provide objective statistical information on the frequency of thunderstorms, and details are given of the diurnal variations in the intensity of atmospherics in the South of England.