engleski

A new approach for the analysis of deep convective events: Thunderstorm Intensity Index

Investigation of a new thunderstorm intensity index (TSII) derived from lightning data is per-formed, along with its relationship to rain, wind, hail and waterspouts as well as instability indi-ces (CAPE, LI, KI, and DLS). The study area is located in the northeastern Adriatic and includes various terrain types in a relatively small area (coastal, flatlands, hills and valleys, and mountain regions). The investigated period covers 11 years (2008-2018). The mathematical algorithm standing behind the TSII is based on the well-established methodology of lightning jump allowing us to recognize areas where intensification in thunderstorms occurred. Our results suggest that these areas (with a positive TSII) experience significantly higher rain intensities and have higher total amounts of precipitation compared with areas where thunderstorms did not generate a TSII. Moreover, 76% of thunderstorm hail cases were associated with the presence of a TSII within a 15 km distance. The maximum reported wind speed also has higher values on a day with a TSII. Out of 27 waterspout events associated with lightning, 77% were related to a TSII. Due to the good spatial (3x3 km) and high temporal (2 min) resolution of lightning data, the TSII can recognize even a local and short-lived intense system that is often misread by radars and satellites due to their inferior temporal resolution. The TSII is designed to be used as a climatological and diagnos-tic variable that could serve in lieu of more established data sources (e.g., station measurements and observations, radar imagery, etc.) if they are unavailable.

Northeastern Adriatic ; precipitation ; hail ; wind gust ; waterspout ; CAPE

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