Climatology of Convective Storms in Estonia from Radar Data and Severe Convective Environments

Data from the C-band weather radar located in central Estonia conjunction with latest reanalysis of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), ERA5, and Nordic Lightning Information System (NORDLIS) lightning location system data are used to investigate climatology convective storms nine summer periods (2010–2019, 2017 excluded). First, an automated 35-dBZ reflectivity threshold-based storm area detection algorithm is derive initial individual cells base level reflectivity. Those detected as a basis combined available potential energy (CAPE) values ERA5 find thresholds severe Estonia. A defined at least 51 dBZ CAPE 80 J/kg. Verification those areas reveals good correlation on various temporal scales hourly yearly distributions. The probability day study during period 45%, thunderstorm 54%. Jenkinson Collison’ circulation types calculated depending direction representativeness investigated by comparing it against 1979–2019. prevailing airflow SW W, whereas be case SE S airflow. Finally, spatial distribution shows that mean number days 100 km2 grid cell mostly between 3 8 distance up 150 km radar. Severe most frequent W parts continental