Clouds’ Microphysical Properties and Their Relationship with Lightning Activity in Northeast Brazil

The Northeast region of Brazil (NEB) has a high rate deaths from lightning strikes (18% the country’s total). states, such as Piauí, with mortality rates (1.8 per million), much higher than national (0.8) and NEB (0.5). In this sense, present work analyzes microphysical characteristics clouds without occurrence total lightning. For purpose, data Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) Precipitation Radar (PR), aboard Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite 1998 to 2013 were used. analyzed establish relationship between clouds’ characteristics, comparing them function classes, spatial location atmospheric profiles. A is associated values ice water path (>38.9 kg m−2), rain (>2 convective precipitation (>5 mm h−1) surface (>7 h−1), in addition slightly freezing level height values. Reflectivity observations (>36 dBZ) demonstrated typical profile curves, classes densities (class more 6.8 flash km−2 year−1).