Use of inferred lighting results within a detection scheme for oceanic convection

The Convective Diagnosis Oceanic (CDO) product utilizes geostationary satellite imagery to detect the presence of deep convection that may be hazardous to transoceanic aircraft. Currently, the product combines the output from three detection algorithms via a data fusion scheme that resides within a fuzzy logic framework. The CDO product has demonstrated good performance at detecting deep convection via validation studies that utilize the NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite as an independent data source. To provide a further enhancement, an investigation is underway to input inferred lightning data sets derived from the 37 and 85 GHz channels of the TRMM Microwave Interferometer (TMI) and the Defense Mapping Satellite Program (DMSP) LEO satellites into the CDO data fusion scheme. The inferred lightning data sets are expected to further refine and enhance the CDO product such that the regions containing lightning and associated hazards may be better defined. Comparison to output from the TRMM Lightning Imaging System (LIS) and to the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) will be shown. Performance skill of the CDO will be measured with and without the inferred lightning data sets and results presented.