This study evaluates how clouds evolve into thunderstorms in terms of the turbulence characteristics producing the first flash. Observations of 57 (39) isolated thunderstorm (non-thunderstorm) cells during 2016/2017 in Southern China are provided by an S-band polarimetric radar and three independent lightning location systems. The vertical turbulence characteristics of clouds associated with thunderstorms are obviously different from non-thunderstorms. For thunderstorms, the maximum of the eddy dissipation rate (mean value in each height layer) in the entire height is 0.19 m²s⁻³, which occurs at the first flash stage, and the achievable height of turbulence exceeds the −30°C layer. For non-thunderstorms, however, the maximum is 0.12 m²s⁻³ and the achievable turbulence height hardly exceeds the −10°C layer. Additionally, the turbulence intensities of the locations where the initial discharge pulse events of the first flashes occur are weak. These turbulence characteristics are useful for lightning nowcasting.

Turbulence, Thunderstorm, First Flash, Eddy Dissipation Rate, Initial Discharge Pulse Event