A study of lightning activity over land and oceanic regions of India

Abstract

Monthly variations of lightning activity over typical land and oceanic regions of India were examined using satellite data (OTD) for a 5-year period (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999). It is noted that the nature of variation between surface air maximum temperature (T max ), thunderstorm days (Th n ), and lightning flash count over ER and WR showed remarkable correspondence and sensitivity with each other on monthly time scale. As we move out of winter season and enter the monsoon season, via pre-monsoon season, the WR undergoes cooling relative to the ER in the range 0.1-1.2 • C. As a result, WR experiences reduction of thunder days and lowering in flash count. This decrease in T max , Th n , and flash count over WR may also be associated with relatively small values of T θw and CAPE in comparison with similar values over ER during the monsoon season. Our observation of associated reduction in Th n and lightning count per 1 • C cooling in surface air maximum temperature suggests reduction of ∼ 3.5 thunderstorms per station and 73 flashes. Comparison of lightning flashes between pairs of coastal, oceanic, arid-zone, hilly, and island stations reveals distinct relationship between climate regime and intensity of lightning activity. We may conclude the results of this study by saying that the overhead lightning activity is a clear reflection of the status of the underlying ground-earth properties. A close and continuous monitoring of lightning activity may be considered as a need of present day scientific studies.

Role of lightning phenomenon over surface O3 and NOx at a semi-arid tropical site Hyderabad, India: inter-comparison with satellite retrievals

“…In the event on 11th May 2012, concentration of NO x started increasing after 18:00 h and reached a maximum hourly mean of 38 ppbv at about 21:00 h, which was greater than the control and monthly mean values (15 ppbv). Similar observations were reported for the formation of NO x in the middle and upper troposphere (Barthe and Barth 2008;Bond et al 2001;Choi et al 2009;Jacobson and Streets 2009;Jourdain et al 2010;Kaynak et al 2008;Labrador et al 2009;Mari et al 2006;Nath et al 2009;Zhang et al 2003). After dissipation of thunderstorm, the increased amount of NO x formed in the upper troposphere was transported downward to the lower troposphere.…”

Trend analysis and forecast of pre-monsoon rainfall over India

“…A study by Nath et al . () shows a decrease in the number of thunderstorm days over island station Minicoy, which might be considered as a contributing factor for the declining rainfall trend observed there.…”

Solar Activity, Lightning and Climate

“…Model studies also show that, for every 1°K of global warming, a *10% increase in lightning activity may arise Futyan and Del Genio 2007). Nath et al (2009) analyzed satellite data for a 5 year period (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999) over land and ocean regions of India and claimed that a cooling of 1°C in the surface temperature results in the reduction of~3.5 thunderstorms per month per station.…”