Conditions for the Initiation and Development of Intense Thunderstorms over the Sea of Japan in July 2022

Based on the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) data for July 14–16, 2022, the development, structure, and evolution of unusually long and intense thunderstorms with heavy rainfall were tracked over the Sea of Japan. It was revealed that the thunderstorm activity arose over the sea on July 14 and reached its maximum strength near the coast of the Primorsky krai on July 15, when lightning densities, discharge energy densities, and precipitation intensities in individual thunderstorms were several times higher than their average long-term values in July. Based on satellite data, the study analyzes the synoptic conditions that led to the development of such a powerful convective process.