Abstract: A method of locating a thermal updraft. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of flying an aircraft in a flight path; making ionization measurements at a plurality of locations along the aircraft flight path using an ionization measuring device to measure ionization rate; determining in response to the ionization measurements areas of increased ionization rate; and denoting areas of increased ionization rate as areas of thermal updraft. In another embodiment, the method includes the steps of measuring ionizing radiation at each location along the aircraft flight path; and if ionizing radiation levels are above a predetermined value, determining that the location is within a thermal updraft and if the ionizing radiation levels are below a predetermined value, determining that the location is outside of a thermal updraft.

Abstract: A lightning detection system for detecting and locating an initial discharge of an initial leader stroke of a lightning flash. An initial lightning discharge produces a pulse that can be used to accurately detect lightning, and more particularly, the location of the initial lightning discharge. In one embodiment, at least three sensors detect and determine the location of the first pulses from initial lightning discharges using time difference of arrival information of the pulses at each of the three sensors. In another embodiment, a single sensor is used to determine the range of an initial lightning discharge from the amplitude of a corresponding initial detected pulse, and to determine the direction from a crossed loop antenna An alternative embodiment of a single sensor system determines a distance of a lightning event from a peak amplitude value derived from a pulse amplitude distribution.

Abstract: A lightning detection system for detecting and locating an initial discharge of an initial leader stroke of a lightning flash. An initial lightning discharge produces a pulse that can be used to accurately detect lightning, and more particularly, the location of the initial lightning discharge. In one embodiment, at least three sensors detect and determine the location of the first pulses from initial lightning discharges using time difference of arrival information of the pulses at each of the three sensors. In another embodiment, a single sensor is used to determine the range of an initial lightning discharge from the amplitude of a corresponding initial detected pulse, and to determine its direction from a crossed loop antenna. An alternative embodiment of a single sensor system determines a distance of a lightning event from a peak amplitude value derived from a pulse amplitude distribution.

Abstract: A lightning and storm warning system capable of distinguishing lightning flashes from other light flashes and indicating to an operator of the existence of a lightning flash even under high ambient illumination conditions. The device may include a visual display indicating the severity and location of the storm and providing an indication of the time progression of the lightning rate.

Abstract: A lightning and strobe light detector and warning system capable of distinguishing strobe light and lightning flashes and indicating to an operator of the existence of a flash even under high illumination background conditions. The device may comprise a plurality of detectors and therefore not only distinguish between the strobe and lighting flashes but also indicate the direction of a flash.

Abstract: A system for predicting the occurence of microburst/windshear comprising at least one sensor for receiving lightning produced signals, a processor for processing those received signals to produce data and generate a warning when the processed data indicates that a microburst/windshear is about to occur.

Abstract: An array of sensors responsive to atmospheric electrostatic fields is deployed, preferably with the sensors elevated above the ground. Suitable sensors are corona point sensors having a stainless steel needle. The corona current signals from the sensors are digitized and processed to determine the peak in the rate of sharp discontinuities in the electrostatic field. The peak in the rate of sharp discontinuities precedes a thunderstorm microburst by several minutes. The signal processing apparatus also generates equipotential contour maps of electrostatic field for spatially locating a microburst. The latter signal may also serve as a predictor for windshear since anomalous electric fields caused by charge carrying downdrafts may occur without lightning.