Comparative analysis of satellite-based and ground-based lightning detection data during 2013-2016 in China

Abstract

According to the location of sensors，there are two main ways to obtain lightning detection data：satellite-based and ground-based，each have its own advantages and disadvantages, the assessment of data quality is an important issue. In this paper, based on comprehensive analysis of the data from satellite- and ground-based detector (2013-2016), a sensitivity test is designed, and a scientific comparison method is proposed. From multiple dimensions, the differences and similarities between them, the sources of error and the method of correcting are investigated. Through the comparative analysis, we can get more information on spatial and temporal lightning distribution characteristics in China the following conclusions are drawn: 1. satellite- and ground-based lightning detection data over China show good consistency during 2013-2016, and with the development of technology and the improvement of detection stations layout, the proportion of matches go up steadily. Furthermore, limited by geographical factors, the layout of China Lightning Detection Network (CLDN) is uneven, the East is comparatively dense, and West is comparatively sparse, so the matching ratio is not exactly the same. We also noticed that Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) cannot continuously monitor the evolution process of lightning, and it’s a reason that the proportion of matches are not very high in general. 2. Matching proportion shows obvious time diversity. It presented a single peak in August. Matching proportion among seasons as follows: summer-autumn-spring-winter (from high to low), in particular, it had less variability during winter and spring than summer and autumn, reflecting the characters of strong convective weather in China. 3. Due to the different detection principles, the amount of lightning events that occur at “night” detected by LIS, much more than lightning events that occur in the “day” time. While the situation is completely different for CLDN, there was no significant difference in the amount of lightning that occurs between day and night, and there is still a lot of space for improvement. 4. Sample data revealed that larger radiance LIS signals did not mean a higher matching ratio, this is different from conventional wisdom. It may imply that satellite-based detection and ground-based detection are sensitive to lightning signals with different radiation levels.<br> The work of this paper also provides the basis for the quality evaluation and fusion analysis of the satellite-based vs. ground-based multi-source lightning detection data.