The correlation between lightning and DSD parameters

The number of lightning strokes that struck a fixed region about the Clemson Atmospheric Research Laboratory (CARL) in Clemson, SC were recorded. These were correlated to characteristics of the drop size distribution (DSD). The DSD was parameterized in the usual way, using a two-parameter exponential function, where the two parameters are Λ and N₀. The results showed that a power law fit adequately correlates both Λ and N₀ to the number of lightning strokes per hour per square mile. A linear fit performs poorly in this regard. The results also showed that the rain rate R was well-correlated to the number of lightning strokes per hour per square mile if a power law fit is employed. The use of lightning flash polarity was not found to be useful in relating R to lightning. These results are used to develop an understanding of the relationship between drop size statistics and lightning characteristics. The future utility of these findings to the remote sensing of rain rate is discussed.