Christopher J. Schultz

Christopher J. Schultz

Christopher J. Schultz

Christopher J. Schultz

Dr. Christopher Schultz is focused on the understanding of the kinematics and microphysics that drive extreme flash rates in convection and their applications to monitoring severe weather, snowstorms, wildfire, and volcanoes. He current works within the NASA Short-Term Prediction and Research Transition (SPoRT) Center and the Atmospheric Electricity teams at MSFC. Dr. Schultz is part of the GLM and ISS-LIS science teams, and is a council member on the National Lightning Safety Council.

Contact at: christopher.j.schultz@nasa.gov

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Science (2015), University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Atmospheric Science, Dissertation: Physical and Dynamical Control of Lightning Jumps and Use for Assessing Severe Thunderstorm Potential
Master of Science in Earth System Science (2008), University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Atmospheric Science, Thesis topic: Development and Evaluation of Lightning Jump Algorithms for the Real-Time Detection of Severe Weather
Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science (2006), University of Missouri in Columbia, Department of Atmospheric Science

Positions

Research Meteorologist, August 2015 - Present, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
NASA Pathways Intern, June 2012 - August 2015, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Graduate Research Associate, August 2006 - May 2012, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsvile, AL

Publications

Schultz, C. J. , N. J. Nauslar, J. B. Wachter, C. R. Hain, and J. R. Bell, 2019: Spatial, Temporal, and Electrical Characteristics of Lightning in Reported Lightning-Initiated Wildfires. Fire , 2(2) , 18, https://doi.org/10.3390/fire2020018

Schultz, C. J., T. J. Lang, E. C. Bruning, K. M. Calhoun, S. Harkema, and N. L. Curtis, 2018: Characteristics of Lightning within Electrified Snowfall Events using Lightning Mapping Arrays. J. Geophys. Res., 123 (4), 2347-2367

Schultz, C. J., G. T. Stano, P. J. Meyer, B. C. Carcione, T. Barron, 2017: Lightning Decision Support using VHF Total Lightning Mapping and NLDN Cloud-to-Ground Data in North Alabama. J. Operational Meteor. , 5, 134-145.

Schultz, C. J., L. D. Carey, E. V. Schultz and R. J. Blakeslee, 2017: Kinematic and Microphysical Significance of Lightning Jumps versus Non-Jump Increases in Total Flash Rate. Wea. and Forecasting , 32 ,275-288,\~doi: 10.1175/WAF-D-15-0175.1

Schultz, C. J., L. D. Carey, E. V. Schultz and R. J. Blakeslee 2015: Insight into the kinematic and microphysical processes that control lightning jumps. Wea. and Forecasting , 30 , 1591-1621.

Schultz, C. J. and Coauthors, 2012: Dual-polarization tornadic debris signatures Part I: Examples and utility in an operational setting. Electronic J. Operational Meteor. , 13 (9), 120-137.

Schultz, C. J. and Coauthors, 2012: Dual-polarization tornadic debris signatures Part II: Comparisons and caveats. Electronic J. Operational Meteor. , 13 (10), 138-150.

Schultz, C. J., W. A. Petersen and L. D. Carey, 2011: Lightning and Severe Weather: A Comparison Between Total and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Trends. Wea. and Forecasting , 26 , 744-755.

Schultz, C. J., W. A. Petersen and L. D. Carey, 2009: Preliminary Development and Evaluation of Lightning Jump Algorithms for the Real-Time Detection of Severe Weather. J. Appl. Meteor. Clim. , 48 , doi:10.1175/2009JAMC2237.1.

Harkema, S., C. J. Schultz , E. B. Berndt, and P. M. Bitzer, 2019: Geostationary Lightning Mapper Flash Characteristics of Electrified Snowfall Events. Wea. Forecasting , 34 , 1571-1585.

Harkema, S. S., E. B. Berndt, and C. J. Schultz, 2020: Characterization of Snowfall Rates, Totals, and Snow-to-Liquid Ratios in Electrified Snowfall Events Identified by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper. Wea. Forecasting, 35, 673–689, https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-19-0126.1.

MacNamara, B., C. J. Schultz, and H. E. Fuelberg, 2020: Flash characteristics and precipitation metrics of Western U.S. Lightning Initiated Wildfires from 2017. Fire, 3,i doi:10.3390/fire3010005

Stano, G. T., M. R. Smith and C. J. Schultz, 2019: Development and Evaluation of the GLM Stoplight Product for lightning safety. J. Operational Meteor. , 7 , 92-104

Fuchs, B. R., S. A. Rutledge, B. Dolan, L. D. Carey, C. J. Schultz , 2018: Microphysical and kinematic processes associated with anomalous charge structures in isolated convection. J. Geophys. Res., 123, 6505-6528.

MacNamara, B., C. J. Schultz, and H. E. Fuelberg, 2020: Flash characteristics and precipitation metrics of Western U.S. Lightning Initiated Wildfires from 2017. Fire, 3, doi:10.3390/fire3010005

Stough, S. M., L. D. Carey, C. J. Schultz, P. M. Bitzer, 2017: The relationship between lightning and mesocyclonic rotation in supercell thunderstorms. Wea. and Forecasting , 32 , 2237-2259, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-17-0025.1

Schultz, E.V., C. J. Schultz , L. D. Carey, D. J. Cecil, and M. Bateman, 2016: Algorithm using GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) Proxy Data. J. Operational Meteor. , 4(7), 92-107.

Chronis, T., L. D. Carey, C. J. Schultz , E. V. Schultz, K. M. Calhoun and S. J. Goodman, 2015: Exploring lightning jump characteristics: Wea. and Forecasting. , 30 , 23-37.

Knupp, K. R., T. A. Murphy, T. A. Coleman, R. A. Wade, S. A. Mullins, C. J. Schultz, E. V. Schultz, L. Carey, A. Sherrer, E. W. McCaul, B. Carcione, S. Latimer, A. Kula, K. Laws, P. T. Marsh, and K. Klockow, 2014: Meteorological Overview of the devastating 27 April 2011 tornado outbreak. Bull. Amer. Met. Soc. , 95 , 1041-1062.

Saari, M. D., R. M. Lawton, C. J. Schultz, L. D. Carey, 2014: Early Characteristics of the polarimetric tornadic debris signature associated with the 20 May 2013 Newcastle-Moore, Oklahoma, tornado. J. Operational Meteor. , 2(10), 110-114.

Stano, G. T., C. J. Schultz , L. D. Carey, D. R. MacGorman, and K. M. Calhoun, 2014: Total lightning observations and tools for the 20 May 2013 Moore, Oklahoma, tornadic supercell. J. Operational Meteor. , 2(7), 71-88.

Goodman, S. J., R. J. Blakeslee, W. J. Koshak, D. Mach, J. Bailey, D. Buechler, L. Carey, C. J. Schultz, M. Bateman, E. W. McCaul, G. Stano, 2013: The GOES-R Geostationary Lightning Mapper. Atmos. Res. , 125, 34-49.

Crowe, C. C., C. J. Schultz , M. Kumjian, L. D. Carey, and W. A. Petersen, 2012: Use of dual-polarization signatures in diagnosing tornadic potential: Electronic J. Operational Meteor., 13(5), 57-78.

Thurai, M., W. A. Petersen, A. Tokay, C. J. Schultz, and P. N. Gatlin, 2011: Drop size distribution comparisons between Parsivel and 2-D video disdrometers. Adv. in Geosciences, 30, 3-9.

The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL is a NASA-funded activity with a vision of accelerating the translation of NASA science to applications by collaborating with researchers, innovators, and stakeholders. SPoRT was established in 2002 and is funded under the NASA Earth Science Division Research and Analysis Program’s Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics Focus Area. Therefore, SPoRT’s early focus was on transitioning NASA products to the operational weather community to improve short-term forecasting with end users within the operational weather community (e.g. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service). Today SPoRT focuses on applied research and applications in 6 focus areas that span weather, atmospheric, and land surface topics with partnerships across government, academia, and the private sector (see Collaborative Partners). A research-to-operations/operations-to-research paradigm (figure below) has been the basis for transitioning over 40 satellite products to stakeholders over 20 years. The main goals of the SPoRT paradigm include (1) early and intentional interaction with stakeholders, (2) identifying and/or developing user-driven science solutions from NASA observations and research capabilities, (3) timely delivery of data products for early stakeholder testing and feedback, (4) integration of data products and capabilities in user formats, visualizations, and display systems, (5) targeted applications-based training highlighting use cases, examples, product advantages and limitations, (5) stakeholder assessments and product testing, and (6) prioritizing operations to research feedback to meet users’ needs and facilitate the sustained use of NASA data in applications. The SPoRT paradigm enables intentional interaction between scientists and stakeholders throughout the research-to-applications/applications-to-research lifecycle to develop innovative solutions through an iterative process that meet stakeholder needs, are tailored for their application, and promote sustained use of NASA observations and research capabilities. SPoRT values innovation, collaboration, and engagement to bridge the gap between science and applications and maximize the benefit of NASA data for operations, applications, and decision making.

Technical Contact: Dr. Emily Berndt (emily.b.berndt@nasa.gov)
Responsible Official: Dr. Andrew Molthan (andrew.molthan@nasa.gov)
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