Climatological characteristics of thunderstorm clouds over the Tibetan Plateau indicated by TRMM/RPFs with lightning

The uploaded are the data associated with the figures in the paper titled "Climatological characteristics of thunderstorm clouds over the Tibetan Plateau indicated by TRMM/RPFs with lightning" which is submitted to the JGR. Using radar precipitation feature (RPF) data from 1998 to 2014 derived from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observations, we analyzed the activity and properties of thunderstorm clouds (TCs) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and compared them with those over two contrasting land regions (CR1 and CR2). We revealed the properties of TCs over the TP including their flash rate, flash density, flash properties (duration, length and radiance), horizontal and vertical extent, and vertical profiles of reflectivity and compared them with those over CR1 and CR2. We further suggested a comparison of the effective charge regions (ECRs) in the TCs over the three regions and indicated the possible relationship between the flash rate of the TC and number of ECRs as well as between the flash density of the TC and the proportional ECR area. A conceptual sketch map was proposed that reveals the uniqueness of TCs over the TP. The results indicate that TCs over the central TP are most active; generally, the flash rates, flash properties, and sizes of the TCs are greater over the eastern TP than over the western TP. Meanwhile, the TCs over the southern and western TP have a larger vertical extent and flash density, respectively. The analysis of monthly and diurnal variations indicated the prominent preference of TC activity to occur in the warm season and afternoon, and multiple variations of TC properties.