Remote sensing of cloud-to-ground lightning location using the TOGA of sferics

Abstract

Using the Time Of Group Arrival (TOGA) of sferics about 3700 cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes were recorded in one year (2003) in the largest island, Viti Levu in Fiji. A maximum CG flash density of 0.49 flashes/km2 per year was recorded in two locations in the island. The seasonal variation showed enhanced lightning incidences during November-April and the diurnal variation showed peak activity from 14:00-16:00 h local time. Five-year data of the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) aboard the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are also presented, which show good correlation of seasonal and diurnal variations with those obtained from TOGA measurements. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.