Investigation of severe thunderstorms caused by northeast cold vortex

On 3 June 2013, an intense lightning event occurred in Liaoning Province. Within 17 hours, 14103 lightning strikes were observed.The lightning density is calculated in this study. The environment of the thunderstorms is analyzed, which shows that there is a convergenceand rising motion of warm air in the low level atmosphere. The sinking region appears in the height of 0~-20°C electrification layer tothe right or front right side of upper jet stream of the northeast cold vortex. The strong convective systems are studied based on the data of thegeostationary satellite and Doppler weather radar. The thunderstorm is simulated by WRF-3.5.1 model with Morrison microphysics scheme.The spatial distribution of number concentrations of raindrops, graupel particles and ice crystals is analyzed in association with the intenselightning. The body of thunderstorm clouds slopes down and the corresponding lightning flashes increase. The negative chargeaccumulationand lightning strike area appeared in the region where the updraft airflow was weak and the particles with negative charge fell.