Anvil and Convective Lightning: A TRMM Perspective

Twelve years of TRMM observations in the tropics and extra-tropics up to 36 degrees latitude in the University of Utah’s TRMM Precipitation Feature database are used to investigate lightning-producing convective cells from both a climatological and case study perspective. Of particular interest are convective cells capable of producing large numbers of anvil and stratiform lightning. Lightning flashes from TRMM Lightning Imaging System (LIS) are categorized into anvil, stratiform and convective types based on the locations of the flashes relative to the convective cells defined by Precipitation Radar reflectivity profiles. Anvil and stratiform lightning were found to each account for roughly 6% of the total lightning flashes. Stratiform lightning was more common later in the day in expansive multi-cell systems, and tended to occur at a much greater distance from the storm’s convective center than other types. Moreover, anvil lightning was the most common type of lightning in single-cell storms, and those with a small number of cells and smaller cell area than the other types. Using the nearest neighbor method, a convective cell most likely associated with each lightning flash is identified. Analysis of the properties of the convective cells associated with anvil and stratiform lightning flashes and their correlations to the distance of flashes from the convective cell will be presented.