Study Lightning By Using Observation Data From Satellite

The temporal and spatial distributions of lighting activities in South of China and southwest of China are studied by using observation data from the Lightning ImagingSensor(LIS),boardedontheTropicalRainfallMeasurementMission(TRMM) satellite, and they are related with meteorological factors.The result indicates that the number of lightning flashes by LIS varies year by year, and the maximum is about two times the minimum. The lightning activities clearly show seasonal variation in South of China and southwest china: In South of China, the last spring and midsummer are the main lightning activity seasons, and the seasonal variety of the flash number is a pair of peak value. In southwest of china, the spring and summer are the main lightning activity seasons, The seasonal variety of the flash number is the single peak value, and the maximum lightning activity is in August. In South of China, it is show that lightning activities in August primarily occur between afternoon and early evening, and lightning activities in May primarily occur during not only afternoon but also midnight. In southwest of china, it is show that lightning activities primarily occur not day but night, and lightning activities primarily occur during not only early evening but also midnight. It comes to minimum at 9:00-12:00 A. M. In South of China, lightning flash density centers are found mainly on Qingyuan Guangzhou areas,Lianjiang areas and Hainan center. Fewer lighting flashes are found over South China Sea water areas. In southwest of china, the flash number is more in eastern region than in western region,and it is more in southern region than in northern regionResults show that the temporal and spatial distributions of lightning activities is closely related to not only synoptic climatic background but also solar radiation,the topography and underlying surface,the features of surface,conditions of atmosphere and so on. The temporal change in solar radiation brings the temporal distribution of lighting activity. The physical features of surface and topography may be major causes for the difference in the spatial distribution of lightning in mesoscale.