Comparative Analysis and Numerical Simulation of Lightning Detection Data from FY-4A Satellite and ADTD for Rainstorm in Mianning, Sichuan Province

Lightning data obtained from the FY-4A satellite and ADTD (Advanced Direction and Time of arrival Detecting system) are significant for studying rainstorms and severe convection weather. This paper compares and analyzes the differences between the two lightning data through a case study of a rainstorm in Mianning, Sichuan Province. A series of numerical experiments are designed to introduce the two kinds of lightning data into a numerical prediction model. The main conclusions are: (1) Two kinds of lightning data have different detection effects in different areas. The ADTD lightning data are more extensive and scattered, whereas the number and distribution of lightning detected by the FY-4A satellite are more intensive. However, there is a good consistency between the two kinds of surrogate radar echo transformed by the two lightning data kinds. For low-frequency lightning, the ADTD lightning localizer may be more efficient than FY-4A LMI (Lightning Mapping Imager). (2) The introduction of these two types of lightning data has positive effects on precipitation forecast, and the application of ADTD lightning data is more effective for improving the accuracy of short-time precipitation forecast. (3) The two types of lightning data have different effects on the cloud microphysical quantities adjustment in different regions. This shows that the distribution of the two types of lightning data is not entirely consistent, but they are complementary to each other.