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Global Patterns of Lightning Properties Derived by OTD and LISThe 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 5 has 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 10 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) 15 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 20 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.
Document ID
20140008795
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
External Source(s)
doi:10.5194/nhessd-2-2789-2014
Authors
Beirle, Steffen (Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Koshak, W. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Blakeslee, R. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Wagner, T. (Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Chemie Mainz, Germany)
Date Acquired
July 8, 2014
Publication Date
February 11, 2014
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
M14-3335
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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