A dataset of thunderstorm features of the FY-2E full-disc observation area from 2010 to 2018

Abstract

Thunderstorm clouds yield lightning discharges and are often accompanied by damaging weather; therefore, they are important concerns for weather monitoring and forecasting. At present, the research on the thunderstorm activity in China is deficient; and available thunderstorm cloud datasets with high temporal-spatial resolution and big spatial coverage are rare. We established the thunderstorm feature dataset (TFD) by using the black body temperature (TBB) and the cloud classification (CLC) products from the Fengyun-2E (FY-2E) satellite and the lightning location data from the World-Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN). Thunderstorm cloud is defined in accordance with the criterion that at least one WWLLN lightning is in the area with TBB ≤ −32°C or its fitted ellipse. We obtained the parameters including time, location, structure, and lightning activities to prepare the TFD. This dataset extends from 2010 to 2018, with a temporal resolution of 1 hour and wide spatial coverage of the FY-2E full-disc observation area, especially including the mainland and adjacent sea areas of China. This TFD can play an important role in the study of thunderstorm activities.