What determines the cloud‐to‐ground lightning fraction in thunderstorms?

Abstract

The ratio of intracloud lightning (IC) to cloud‐to‐ground lightning (CG) in thunderstorms is observed to vary with latitude. The reason frequently given for this behaviour is that the height of the freezing level, and hence the negative charge center in thunderstorms, varies with latitude, resulting in higher ratios in the tropics compared with those in midlatitudes. This study shows that this hypothesis could well be incorrect. Analysis of cloud and lightning data indicates that the IC/CG ratio is linked to the thickness of the cold cloud region in thunderstorms (0°C to cloud top), rather than to the freezing level height.