On the relationship between Vertical Profile of Radar Reflectivity and Lightning Flash Rate observed by the TRMM/PR and LIS

摘要

The relationships between the vertical profile of radar reflectivity factor (VPRR) and lightning flash rate are investigated on a global basis by using the data from Precipitation Radar (PR) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). We studied here the total 44848 thunderstorms from -35 to 35 degree in latitude and 0 to 360 degree in longitude both for over land and ocean. A statistical examination of the relationship reveals that the VPRR of thunderstorm changes according to the instantaneous flash rate. In tropics, the amplitude of the VPRR tends not to depend on season. In middle latitude, the radar reflectivity decreases more rapidly towards winter. The flash rate and the reflectivity height are best correlated with in the range 40 to 50 dBZ. The correlation coefficient is at most 0.7.