Study of Thundercloud Characteristics in Northwest Russia Using Neural Networks

The paper presents results of the analysis of radar characteristics of clouds, including polarization characteristics, and lightning data for June 9, 2020, in the vicinity of St. Petersburg during intense thunderstorm activity. Characteristics of thunderclouds and clouds without lightning are compared. Statistical data about their differences are presented. The regression analysis of the correlation between the lightning flash rate and radar characteristics of clouds is performed using neural networks. The impact of these parameters on the lightning flash rate has been estimated. A mathematical expression for calculating the lightning flash rate by data on the differential reflectivity maximum of the cloud and the volume of its supercooled part with reflectivity of not less than 35 dBZ is derived.