Analyzing Lightning Activity and Windstorm Characteristics in a Severe Tropical Thunderstorm

Malaysia, located near the equator, is characterized by its rainforests and frequent monsoons, which lead to strong winds and heavy rainfall. These conditions often result in intense thunderstorms marked by severe convection. This study examines the relationship between windstorms and lightning during a storm on 30th of November, 2022. Geographic information systems (GIS) were utilized to map the spatial distribution of lightning, with data provided by the Malaysia Meteorology Department (METMalaysia) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research (TNBR). The study recorded 512 lightning flashes, consisting of 2% positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) flashes, 76% negative cloud-to-ground (-CG) flashes, and 22% intracloud (IC) flashes between 15:00 until 18:30 coordinated universal time (UTC). Wind speeds ranged from 0.3 to 4.4 m/s, typical for Peninsular Malaysia. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between lightning occurrences and windstorms during the initial stage of the thunderstorm. However, during the mature stage, this correlation weakened, likely due to low wind speeds, atmospheric conditions, and geographical factors. In the dissipating stage, the windstorm data showed unusual results with two IC flashes. This research highlights the potential of using lightning activity to forecast severe weather, demonstrating a complex but significant relationship between lightning and windstorms.