Abstract
The process of electrification, dynamics and the microphysical composition of convective storms are closely related. Therefore, it is possible to infer microphysical characteristics or dynamic processes from the study of lightning activity and vice versa.
Moreover, changes in the quantity or polarity of prevailing strokes warn about ongoing changes within a storm. All this information is very useful for nowcasting; however, the relationship between lightning activity and its fluctuations and the presence of severe phenomena have not been deeply studied within Europe.
This paper aims to study the properties of storms by using methods of remote sensing and deals with possible applications of them for nowcasting. In order to examine microphysical properties and dynamics of storms, satellite data are used in high spatial (Suomi-NPP and Aqua satellites) as well as high temporal resolution (2.5 min rapid scan, MSG satellite).
Severe storms are shown in the context of these observations connected with the lightning characteristics measured by the detection network used in Central Europe (CELDN). Pulsations of lightning activity related to the intensity of updrafts are examined and associated with the occurrence of severe weather recorded in ESWD database.