Tropical TGF Paradox: A Perspective From TRMM Precipitation Radar

Abstract The Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flash (TGF) to lightning ratio, computed over the three tropical chimneys, presents a paradox: African thunderstorms produce most but yield lowest fraction of TGFs when compared American and Southeast Asian thunderstorms. To understand physical insights into this asymmetry, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Precipitation Radar measurements are used depict vertical precipitation structure infer electrical charge distribution observed in regions during TGF occurrences detected by AGILE, Fermi‐GBM, RHESSI sensors. Regional differences show that taller, smaller, have higher concentration denser ice particles (graupel or hail) above freezing level addition having more flashes per thunderstorm. overall TGF‐related intense (0.5–1.5 dBZ) present similar radar reflectivity decay with height independent region. two dimensional diagrams indicate develop mature stage. Independent region, midlevel negative center varying from 4.6 8.1 km an upper positive ranging 7.4 14.6 km. thicker inferred layer larger distances between opposite charging layers comparison thunderstorm population, here defined as Climatology. charges near layer, helping shorter discharges.