scholarly journals Where Are the Lightning Hotspots on Earth?

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 2051-2068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel I. Albrecht ◽  
Steven J. Goodman ◽  
Dennis E. Buechler ◽  
Richard J. Blakeslee ◽  
Hugh J. Christian
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Sea Breezes ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Flash Rate ◽  
Temporal Smoothing ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Lake Waters ◽  
Imaging Sensor

Abstract Previous total lightning climatology studies using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) observations were reported at coarse resolution (0.5°) and employed significant spatial and temporal smoothing to account for sampling limitations of TRMM’s tropical to subtropical low-Earth-orbit coverage. The analysis reported here uses a 16-yr reprocessed dataset to create a very high-resolution (0.1°) climatology with no further spatial averaging. This analysis reveals that Earth’s principal lightning hotspot occurs over Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, while the highest flash rate density hotspot previously found at the lower 0.5°-resolution sampling was found in the Congo basin in Africa. Lake Maracaibo’s pattern of convergent windflow (mountain–valley, lake, and sea breezes) occurs over the warm lake waters nearly year-round and contributes to nocturnal thunderstorm development 297 days per year on average. These thunderstorms are very localized, and their persistent development anchored in one location accounts for the high flash rate density. Several other inland lakes with similar conditions, that is, deep nocturnal convection driven by locally forced convergent flow over a warm lake surface, are also revealed. Africa is the continent with the most lightning hotspots, followed by Asia, South America, North America, and Australia. A climatological map of the local hour of maximum flash rate density reveals that most oceanic total lightning maxima are related to nocturnal thunderstorms, while continental lightning tends to occur during the afternoon. Most of the principal continental maxima are located near major mountain ranges, revealing the importance of local topography in thunderstorm development.

scholarly journals TRMM LIS Climatology of Thunderstorm Occurrence and Conditional Lightning Flash Rates*

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (16) ◽  
pp. 6536-6547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Cecil ◽  
Dennis E. Buechler ◽  
Richard J. Blakeslee
Keyword(s):  
East Coast ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Conditional Mean ◽  
Flash Rate ◽  
Central United States ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Imaging Sensor

Abstract The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has previously been used to build climatologies of mean lightning flash rate across the global tropics and subtropics. This new work explores climatologies of thunderstorm occurrence as seen by LIS and the conditional mean flash rates when thunderstorms do occur. The region where thunderstorms are seen most often by LIS extends slightly farther east in central Africa than the corresponding region with the highest total mean annual flash rates. Presumably this reflects a difference between more frequent thunderstorm initiation in the east and upscale growth as storms move westward. There are some differences between locations with the greatest total lightning flash counts and those where thunderstorms occur most often. The greatest conditional mean flash rates—considering only those TRMM orbits that do have lightning in a given grid box—are found in subtropical regions. The highest values are in Argentina, with the central United States, Pakistan, eastern China, and the east coast of Australia also having particularly high values.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Variability of Lightning Flash Distribution over Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
U.G.Dilaj Maduranga ◽  
Mahesh Edirisinghe ◽  
L. Vimukthi Gamage
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Imaging Sensor

The variation of the lightning activities over Sri Lanka and surrounded costal belt (5.750N-10.000N and 79.50E-89.000E) is studied using lightning flash data of Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) which was launched in November 1997 for NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The LIS data for the period of 1998 to 2014 are considered for this study. The spatial and temporal variation of lightning activities is investigated and respective results are presented. The diurnal variation over the studied area presents that maximum and minimum flash count recorded at 1530-1630 Local Time (10-11UTC) and 0530-0630LT (00-01UTC) respectively. Maximum lightning activities over the observed area have occurred after the 1330LT (08UTC) in every year during the considered time period. The seasonal variation of the lightning activities shows that the maximum lightning activities happened in First inter monsoon season (March to April) with 30.90% total lightning flashes and minimum lightning activities recorded in Northeast monsoon season (December to February) with 8.51% of total lightning flashes. Maximum flash density of 14.37fl km-2year-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.160E in First inter monsoon season. These seasonal lighting activities are agree with seasonal convective activities and temperature variation base on propagation of Intra-Tropical Convection Zone over the studied particular area. Mean monthly flash count presents a maximum in the month of April with 29.12% of lightning flashes. Variation pattern of number of lightning activities in month of April shows a tiny increment during the time period of 1998 to 2014. Maximum annual flash density of 28.09fl km-2yr-1 was observed at 6.980N/80.170E. The latitudinal variation of the lightning flash density is depicted that extreme lightning activities have happened at the southern part of the county and results show that there is a noticeable lack of lightning activities over the surrounded costal belt relatively landmass.

Investigation of Lightning Distribution Using LIS Data from TRMM Satellite

2014 ◽  
Vol 695 ◽  
pp. 836-839
Author(s):  
Norbayah Yusop ◽  
Siti Hawa Zainal ◽  
Nor Azlan Mohd Aris ◽  
S.A.M. Chachuli ◽  
Mawarni Mohamed Yunus
Keyword(s):  
Initial Data ◽  
Lightning Discharge ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Spring Season ◽  
Seasonal Basis ◽  
Earth’S Climate ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Imaging Sensor

This paper presents an investigation on lightning distribution using Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) data from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. The investigation is carried out on distribution and variability of total lightning occurred in the area of Washington DC (38.54°N, 77.2°W) during January to April 2011. LIS captures emissions that occurred in the atmosphere which emitted by lightning discharge by covering the most between ±35o in latitude. The lightning distributions are characterized based on monthly, daily, hourly and seasonal basis. The maps of global distribution of lightning flashes have been used as initial data. This analysis shows that a total number of 3.5 million flashes were detected during four months observation. The highest number of flashes recorded in April is about 3.4 million flashes compared to the 3,993 flashes in January. In terms of seasonal, this observation show that the spring season during March and April has highest occurrence of lightning which is 53.2% compared to the winter season in January and February which only 46.8%. This study can provides expected variations of the lightning distribution on the diurnal and seasonal basis, thus make it useful in describing the Earth’s climate.

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal Variability of Lightning Climatology and Its Association With Thunderstorm Indices Over India

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unashish Mondal ◽  
Subrat Kumar Panda ◽  
Someshwar Das ◽  
Devesh Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Lightning Flash ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Jammu And Kashmir ◽  
Flash Rate ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Very High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Imaging Sensor

Abstract Lightning is an electrical discharge - a'spark' or 'flash' as charged regions in the atmosphere instantly balance themselves through this discharge. It is a beautiful and deadly naturally occurring phenomenon. In June 2020, more than a hundred people died in the state Bihar of India only in three days’ span due to lightning events. In this work, Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) information from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite with a very high spatial resolution of 0.1 X 0.1 degree has been utilized to create the climatology of India for 16 years from 1998 to 2013. Diurnal, monthly, and seasonal variations in the occurrence of lightning flash rate density have also been analyzed. TRMM satellite low-resolution monthly time series (LRMTS) with 2.5-degree resolution datasets have been used for lightning trend analysis. The diurnal lightning event mainly occurs in the afternoon/evening (1400-1900 Hrs) time duration around 0.001 flashes/km2/hr. The highest lightning occurred in May (0.04 flashes/km2/day) and the least in December (0.005 flashes/km2/day). The distribution of lightning flash counts by season over India landmass is mainly in pre-monsoon (MAM) ranges from 0.248 – 0.491 flashes/km2/day, and monsoon (JJA) ranges from 0.284 – 0.451 flashes/km2/day and decreases afterward. Spatially, the distribution of lightning flashes mainly at North-Eastern region along with Bangladesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Jammu & Kashmir region. The CAPE and K Index have positively correlated with the flash rate density seasonally but CAPE is more significantly correlated. This study also focused on finding of lightning hotspots region of India district wise and Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir got the highest lightning with 121 flashes/km2/yr.

scholarly journals The Relationship of Lightning Activity with Microwave Brightness Temperatures and Spaceborne Radar Reflectivity Profiles in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1901-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Katsanos ◽  
K. Lagouvardos ◽  
V. Kotroni ◽  
A. A. Argiriou
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Radar Reflectivity ◽  
Lightning Activity ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Maximum Reflectivity ◽  
Total Lightning ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Imaging Sensor ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract In this paper, the relationship of lightning activity in the central and eastern Mediterranean with the 85-GHz polarization-corrected temperature (PCT) and radar reflectivity provided by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite is investigated. Lightning observations were mainly provided by the Met Office’s Arrival Time Difference system as well as by the TRMM Lightning Imaging Sensor. The studied period spans from September 2003 to April 2004 and focuses on the events with the most important lightning activity. It was found that 50% of the cases with flashes have PCTs lower than 225 K, while only 3% of the “no lightning” cases have PCTs below this value. Further, if PCT is used as a proxy for the presence of lightning, the value of 217 K gives the best statistical scores for the presence of at least one observed flash. In addition, the ratio of cloud-to-ground lightning to total lightning activity has higher values for the “colder” PCT values and decreases as PCT increases. In addition, the mean and maximum reflectivity profiles with collocated lightning are from 3 to 10 dB and from 6 to 15 dB, respectively, higher than that without lightning. Further, a reflectivity profile with values greater than 53 dBZ in the low levels (below 3 km), of ∼45 dBZ at 5 km and 40 dBZ at 7 km is associated with a probability of 80% for lightning occurrence.

scholarly journals Preliminary Observations from the China Fengyun-4A Lightning Mapping Imager and Its Optical Radiation Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Hui ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Weitao Lyu ◽  
Pengfei Li
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Optical Radiation ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Radiation Characteristics ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
Northeastern India ◽  
Satellite Platform ◽  
Variation Characteristics ◽  
Imaging Sensor

The Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) is the first satellite-borne lightning imager developed in China, which can detect lightning over China and its neighboring regions based on a geostationary satellite platform. In this study, the spatial distribution and temporal variation characteristics of lightning activity over China and its neighboring regions were analyzed in detail based on 2018 LMI observations. The observation characteristics of the LMI were revealed through a comparison with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) and World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) observations. Moreover, the optical radiation characteristics of lightning signals detected by the LMI were examined. Factors that may affect LMI detection were discussed by analyzing the differences in optical radiation characteristics between LMI and LIS flashes. The results are as follows. Spatially, the flash density distribution pattern detected by the LMI was similar to those detected by the LIS and WWLLN. High-flash density regions were mainly concentrated over Southeastern China and Northeastern India. Temporally, LMI flashes exhibited notable seasonal and diurnal variation characteristics. The LMI detected a concentrated lightning outbreak over Northeastern India in the premonsoon season and over Southeastern China in the monsoon season, which was consistent with LIS and WWLLN observations. LMI-observed diurnal peak flash rates occurred in the afternoon over most of the regions. There was a “stepwise” decrease in the LMI-observed optical radiance, footprint size, duration, and number of groups per flash, from the ocean to the coastal regions to the inland regions. LMI flashes exhibited higher optical radiance but lasted for shorter durations than LIS flashes. LMI observations are not only related to instrument performance but are also closely linked to onboard and ground data processing. In future, targeted improvements can be made to the data processing algorithm for the LMI to further enhance its detection capability.

scholarly journals Where the Least Rainfall Occurs in the Sahara Desert, the TRMM Radar Reveals a Different Pattern of Rainfall Each Season

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (18) ◽  
pp. 6919-6939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen A. Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Sahara Desert ◽  
Precipitation Radar ◽  
Light Rain ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
The North ◽  
Imaging Sensor ◽  
Summer Rain ◽  
Rainfall Climatology

Abstract Some previous studies were unable to detect seasonal organization to the rainfall in the Sahara Desert, while others reported seasonal patterns only in the less-arid periphery of the Sahara. In contrast, the precipitation radar on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite detects four rainy seasons in the part of the Sahara where the TRMM radar saw the least rainfall during a 15-yr period (1998–2012). According to the TRMM radar, approximately 20°–27°N, 22°–32°E is the portion of the Sahara that has the lowest average annual rain accumulation (1–5 mm yr−1). Winter (January and February) has light rain throughout this region but more rain to the north over the Mediterranean Sea. Spring (April and May) has heavier rain and has lightning observed by the TRMM Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS). Summer rain and lightning (July and August) occur primarily south of 23°N. At a maximum over the Red Sea, autumn rain and lightning (October and November) can be heavy in the northeastern portion of the study area, but these storms are unreliable: that is, the TRMM radar detects such storms in only 6 of the 15 years. These four rainy seasons are each separated by a comparatively drier month in the monthly rainfall climatology. The few rain gauges in this arid region broadly agree with the TRMM radar on the seasonal organization of rainfall. This seasonality is reason to reevaluate the idea that Saharan rainfall is highly irregular and unpredictable.

scholarly journals Global patterns of lightning properties derived by OTD and LIS

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 2765-2787 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Beirle ◽  
W. Koshak ◽  
R. Blakeslee ◽  
T. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Flash Duration ◽  
Flash Rate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Global Patterns ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Imaging Sensor ◽  
Lightning Nox ◽  
Optical Transient

Abstract. The satellite instruments Optical Transient Detector (OTD) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) provide unique empirical data about the frequency of lightning flashes around the globe (OTD), and the tropics (LIS), which have been used before to compile a well received global climatology of flash rate densities. Here we present a statistical analysis of various additional lightning properties derived from OTD/LIS, i.e. the number of so-called "events" and "groups" per flash, as well as the mean flash duration, footprint and radiance. These normalized quantities, which can be associated with the flash "strength", show consistent spatial patterns; most strikingly, oceanic flashes show higher values than continental flashes for all properties. Over land, regions with high (Eastern US) and low (India) flash strength can be clearly identified. We discuss possible causes and implications of the observed regional differences. Although a direct quantitative interpretation of the investigated flash properties is difficult, the observed spatial patterns provide valuable information for the interpretation and application of climatological flash rates. Due to the systematic regional variations of physical flash characteristics, viewing conditions, and/or measurement sensitivities, parametrisations of lightning NOx based on total flash rate densities alone are probably affected by regional biases.

scholarly journals Karakteristik Ketinggian Melting Layer di Indonesia Berdasarkan Radar Hujan Yang Terpasang Di Satelit TRMM

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-82
Author(s):  
Rany Audia Dwianda ◽  
Marzuki Marzuki
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Sea Breezes ◽  
Tropical Rainfall ◽  
Melting Layer ◽  
Freezing Level ◽  
Trmm Pr ◽  
Total Data ◽  
Level Height

Ketinggian melting layer atau freezing level height (FH) di Indonesia telah diteliti melalui data radar hujan yang terpasang di satelit Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Data yang digunakan adalah data TRMM 2A25 versi 7 selama 2011-2013. Nilai FH dari TRMM dibandingkan dengan nilai yang direkomendasikan oleh model ITU-R P.839. FH di Indonesia memiliki variasi musiman dan diurnal yang signifikan. Rata-rata bulanan FH menunjukkan pola bimodal dengan dua puncak dan dua lembah, mirip dengan pola curah hujan dan temperatur permukaan air laut di Indonesia. Puncak FH teramati pada bulan-bulan basah (musim hujan) ketika temperatur permukaan air laut tinggi. Nilai FH mencapai puncaknya pada sore hari yaitu sekitar jam 18-19 waktu setempat. Adanya perbedaan pola FH antara darat dan laut yang menandakan adanya pengaruh sirkulasi darat-laut (land-sea breezes). Pada dini dan pagi hari, hujan dengan FH > 5 km tidak teramati di daratan tetapi pada siang dan sore hari jumlahnya meningkat, terutama di Sumatera, Kalimantan dan Papua. Nilai FH tertinggi yang teramati dalam penelitian ini adalah 5,55 km yang teramati pada 2013, dan nilai terendah adalah 4,40 km, yang teramati pada 2012. Sebagian besar hujan yaitu sekitar 82% dari total data, memiliki FH lebih rendah dari yang direkomendasikan oleh ITU-R P.839 (5 km). Dengan demikian, model ITU-R menakar FH lebih tinggi dari semestinya. Selain itu, asumsi nilai FH yang konstan (5 km) dalam model ITU-R juga tidak tepat karena nilai FH di Indonesia menunjukkan variasi diurnal dan musiman yang signifikan.Kata kunci : melting layer, Indonesia, TRMM-PR, ITU-R P.839, variasi diurnal, variasi musiman 

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Performance Characteristics of the Lightning Imaging Sensor

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1015-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daile Zhang ◽  
Kenneth L. Cummins ◽  
Phillip Bitzer ◽  
William J. Koshak
Keyword(s):  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Viewing Angle ◽  
Lightning Detection ◽  
Laboratory Calibration ◽  
Lower Detection ◽  
Pixel Array ◽  
Radio Signals ◽  
Imaging Sensor

AbstractThe Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) that was on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite captured optical emissions produced by lightning. In this work, we quantify and evaluate the LIS performance characteristics at both the pixel level of LIS events and contiguous clusters of events known as groups during a recent 2-yr period. Differences in the detection threshold among the four quadrants in the LIS pixel array produce small but meaningful differences in their optical characteristics. In particular, one LIS quadrant (Q1, X ≥ 64; Y ≥ 64) detects 15%–20% more lightning events than the others because of a lower detection threshold. Sensitivity decreases radially from the center of the LIS array to the edges because of sensor optics. The observed falloff behavior is larger on orbit than was measured during the prelaunch laboratory calibration and is likely linked to changes in cloud scattering pathlength with instrument viewing angle. Also, a two-season comparison with the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) has uncovered a 5–7-km north–south LIS location offset that changes sign because of periodic TRMM yaw maneuvers. LIS groups and flashes that had any temporally and spatially corresponding NLDN reports (i.e., NLDN reported the radio signals from the same group and/or from other groups in the same flash) tended to be spatially larger and last longer (only for flashes) than the overall population of groups/flashes.

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