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This loop is the same as the loop in the previous slide, except that 5-min CG lightning data is added.

The same office is asked to describe the loop. The following points should be mentioned: 1) lightning data indicates storms beyond radar range; 2) lightning is associated with most areas of heavy precipitation (> 50 dBZ); 3) lightning data picks up the formation and merger of the vigorous cell that forms ahead of the line; 4) lightning clusters help to delineate convective elements; 5) isolated lightning strikes, mostly positive CGs, are observed over the stratiform region; 6) lightning data picks up the formation of two notches along the trailing edge of the deep convection; and 7) once the MCS is entirely within the domain, the total CG strike count varies considerably from period-to-period, but maintains a consistent average around 500 strikes per 5 minutes.

The office is asked to assess the value-added of the lightning data. Negative (positive) CG data correspond well with areas of convective (stratiform) precipitation. In addition, negative CG data are able to resolve important features such as the formation and merger of the vigorous cell and the formation of two notches along the trailing edge of the deep convection.