J. Earth Syst. Sci. (2020) 129 65 Ó Indian Academy of Sciences https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-019-1300-9 (0123456789().,-volV)(0123456789().,-volV) Observational aspects of tropical mesoscale convective systems over southeast India 1,5, 2 3 4 AMADHULATHA * ,MRAJEEVAN ,TSMOHAN and S B THAMPI 1 National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Gadanki 517 502, India. 2 Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi, India. 3 Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 4 Doppler Weather Radar Division, India Meteorological Department, Chennai, India. 5 Present address: Korea Institute of Atmospheric Prediction Systems, Seoul, South Korea. *Corresponding author. e-mail:
[email protected] MS received 17 April 2019; revised 31 August 2019; accepted 16 September 2019 To enhance the knowledge of various physical mechanisms related to the evolution of Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs), detailed analysis has been performed using suite of observations (weather radar, electric Beld mill, surface weather station, Cux tower, microwave radiometer and wind proBlers) available at Gadanki (13.5°N/79.2°E), located over southeast India. Analysis suggests that these systems developed in warm, moist environment associated with large scale low level convergence. Significant variations in cloud to ground (CG) lightning activity indicate the storm electriBcation. Deep (shallow) vertical extents with high (low) reCectivity and cloud liquid water; dominant upward (downward) motion reveals variant distribution in convective (stratiform) portions. Existence of both +CG and –CG Cashes in convective regions, dominant –CG in stratiform regions explains the relation between lightning polarity and rain and cloud type. Sharp changes in surface meteorological variables and variations in surface Cuxes are noticed in connection to cold pool of the system.