Long-term trends in lightning frequency and intensity over the Indian region

Abstract

We explain various aspects related to lightning occurrence frequency and intensity over the Indian region. Lightning frequency and magnitude are found to be larger in the east coast and adjoining regions. Atmospheric instability and aerosol concentrations appear to be the dominant factor affecting lightning occurrences while moisture content modulates the lightning intensity. A mechanism has been devised to explain how enhanced global warming can lead to taller and thicker clouds reaching up to the upper troposphere lower stratosphere region thereby leading to stronger and more lightning activities. Finally this hypothesis has been utilized to understand the futuristic scenarios of lightning over the Indian region using global model simulations.