Preliminary results from the total lightning detector-cum-mini weather station installed at the Calcutta University

Abstract. We report preliminary results derived from the total lightning detector-cum-mini weather station installed at the Calcutta University during 2016. This detector is a part of Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN) operated globally for ground-based monitoring of total lightning activity and forecasting of localized storm alert and severe weather conditions. This set up provides improved measurement of in-cloud (IC) lightning as well as cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning in addition to daily weather data. Severe weather such as thunder squall, Nor'wester, hailstorm, cyclone over the Gangetic West Bengal can be studied in details based on total lightning activity along with other atmospheric and meteorological research using the weather data. Here we present some initial results from the analysis of total lightning measurements during the recent Nor'wester events occurred in and around Kolkata. We also present variation of wet component of atmospheric refractivity index during the monsoon season which can be used to declare the onset and withdrawal time of monsoon over Gangetic West Bengal.