PREDICTION OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH MINIMAL A PRIORI INFORMATION

A genetic algorithm (GA) is introduced to fix ranges of parameters, in a quantitative manner, pertaining to forecasting the genesis of severe thunderstorms in the pre-monsoon season over Calcutta (22°32′, 88°20′) in the northeastern part of India (20°–24°N latitude, 85°–93°E longitude). The results depict that definite quantitative ranges of parameters can be made available before as well as after the occurrence of severe thunderstorms using a GA. Thus, a suitable combination of these ranges of parameters before the onset can represent a possible predictor of thunderstorm genesis.