In this study, the relationships between lightning and radar reflectivity were investigated using lightning data from Vaisala’s GLD360 (Global Lightning Dataset). Data from 2014-2015 were reprocessed using the latest production location algorithm that has improved the location accuracy (now >80%) and detection efficiency (2-3 km). Lightning data were compared to radar reflectivity data from Unisys radar mosaics over CONUS and its several subdomains.
The results revealed a strong log-normal relationship between the lightning rates and reflectivity values. There were some interesting differences in those relationships between the subdomains that are likely related to different types of weather systems over various climate regimes across the Unites States. For example, the reflectivity values over the northwestern U.S. are generally lower than over the eastern parts of the country and the Northwest is missing high lightning-rate storms.
![](images/flag.png)
![](images/blue_ribbon.png)