Relationship Between Lightning Characteristics and Hurricane Intensity

This study utilizes the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) combined with the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) to investigate lightning activity in hurricanes relative to hurricane structure and evolution for 5 years of hurricane seasons. This combination enables a more complete estimate of lightning activity than one detection method can provide alone, including the derivation of the cloud flash fraction (CFF) for each hurricane. Additionally, lightning characteristics for each individual hurricane as well as average trends and correlations to hurricane wind speed and brightness temperatures are explored. Overall, this research has the potential to provide further insight into tropical cyclone intensification and weakening.