TRMM Data Intercomparisons

**Note that storms that produced lightning also have reflectivities greater than 35dBZ at altitudes above 7 km.

Atlantic Storms (1998-03-21) Plan view of the TRMM PR rainfall rates and corresponding cross-sectional cuts of the reflectivities associated with storms over the Atlantic ocean. Provided above each thunderstorm on the cross-sectional cuts are the number of flashes detected by the LIS instrument during its overpass of the storm systems. Links to Full-Sized Images: Image on the top (PR & LIS) Lightning Activity (LIS) Rainfall rates (PR) Infrared Temperatures (VIRS) 85v GHz Microwave (TMI) 37v GHz Microwave (TMI) 22v GHz Microwave (TMI) 19v GHz Microwave (TMI) 19h GHz Microwave (TMI)

**Note that storms produce more lightning when there is more mass above the mixed phase level (i.e., the storms with large reflectivities above altitude of 7 km).

Florida Storms (1998-03-09) Plan view of the TRMM PR rainfall rates and corresponding cross-sectional cuts of the reflectivities associated with storms over the Florida Peninsula. Provided above each thunderstorm on the cross-sectional cuts are the number of flashes detected by the LIS instrument during its overpass of the storm system. Links to Full-Sized Images: Image on the top (PR & LIS) Lightning Activity (LIS) Rainfall rates (PR) Infrared Temperatures (VIRS) 85v GHz Microwave (TMI) 37v GHz Microwave (TMI) 22v GHz Microwave (TMI) 19v GHz Microwave (TMI) 19h GHz Microwave (TMI)

Southeastern U.S. Storms (1998-08-16) This case study of summer storms in the Southeastern United States shows that there is a good relationship between lightning activity and microwave brightness temperatures. The strength of this relationship can be attributed to the presence of ice and its physical relationship to both lightning and microwave scattering. Links to Full-Sized Images: Lightning Activity (LIS) 85v GHz Microwave (TMI) 37v GHz Microwave (TMI) Rainfall rates (PR) Infrared Temperatures (VIRS)