In this study, the authors investigate the environment of abundant lightning producing storms in south eastern South America (SESA). This area includes parts of Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil. These Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) observed storms had flash count greater than 500 flashes, which are from the top 27 LIS passes over SESA in the 10+ years of TRMM data. The storm environments will be investigated with the use of environmental soundings and surface data where available, as well as with NCEP Reanalysis data. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data will also be used in data scarce areas.

Preliminary results show the presence of a low level jet, which transports moisture from the Amazon basin to the area of interest, a moisture and temperature boundary, which resembles a dry line east of the Andes, vertical and directional shear, and high CAPE values.