Variability in lightning hazard over Indian region with respect to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases

Abstract. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) modulates the lightning flash density (LFD) variability over India during premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon seasons. This study intends to shed light on impact of ENSO phases LFD Indian subcontinent using data obtained from Optical Transient Detector (OTD) Lightning Imaging Sensors (LIS) onboard Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. Results suggest northeast (NEI) southern peninsular (SPI) strengthened (weakened) warm (cold) phase in premonsoon season. During season, NNWI (north northwest India) shows above (below) normal cold (warm) phase. It is striking note that there are three hot spots land region which became more prominent seasons last decade. A widespread increase observed all robust rise graupel/snow concentration found season SPI phase, with lowest fluctuations NEI regions. subtropical westerly jet stream shifted south association accompanied by an geopotential height (GPH) for same period. exciting remark may explain indirect influences ENSO's pushing mean position towards latitudes. However, marked confined mostly