Understanding dynamics of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal using lightning data

In the present work, we are studying the dynamics of 11 tropical cyclones (TCs) over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) using the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) lightning data during 2013–2017. Detailed investigation of Lightning Stroke Count (LSC) shows that the initial phase of the TC intensification over BoB is associated with high lightning activity both in the eye region and rainband region. The study of different category TCs shows the weak and moderate-intensity TCs during both in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons are lightning populated (specifically inner bands) during and prior to the intensification phase. Peak Maximum Sustained Wind Speed (MSWS), which is linked to sea surface temperatures (SSTs), is preceded by the peak LSC with a time lag of 6–12 h. The LSC peaks in the eye region and rain band for different categories of TCs between small to moderate wind shear range. The present study highlights that the monitoring of real-time lightning activity could provide supportive information on the existing forecast techniques. But further analyses are required over BoB to quantify the relationship between TC intensification and lightning activity both in space and time.