ENI vs. GLD over Fort Worth and Houston Centers

An experimental AWS was issued over Texas first thing this morning for the ongoing convection over Fort Worth Center (Figure 1). It is forecast to slowly weaken as it drifts south and then re-fire in southern TX later this afternoon.

20130816 1402 Z Composite Reflectivity overlaid with the experimental Aviation Weather Statement

Shown in Figures 2 and 3 are loops of the Earth Networks total lightning density (ENI) and the GLD lightning density, both overlaid with the ASDI flight routes.

Figure 2. 20130816 1015 - 1315 Z Earth Networks 10-minute lightning density

Figure 3. 20130816 1015 - 1315 Z GLD 10-minute lightning density

Note the first the empty skies west of Fort Worth Center. Given the ongoing convective activity it was decided to temporarily shut down all western terminals into the airport, diverting traffic in from the north and south. However, because Fort Worth has a lot of airspace to work with there have been no delays as of this moment.

Now compare the ENI to the GLD. While both show the diminishing trend of the convection, the ENI clearly shows much more activity than the GLD. This is expected given the differing lightning information being detected by each network, the GLD using very low frequency (VLF) radio waves emitted by lightning and the ENI using a higher frequency range. Additionally, the GLD detects mostly CG strikes with some stronger IC strikes while the ENI detects both CG and IC. Keep in mind that this is also over land. A comparison over water would likely show slightly different results.