Scientists used the data to study transition from El Nino to La Nina. Scientists long have theorized that convection is different over land than over the ocean. TRMM data shows the relative absence of lightning over the worlds tropical oceans. Data shows lightning events from April and May, 1998. Tropical rainfall, that which falls within 35 degrees north and 35 degrees south of the equator, comprises more than two-thirds of global rainfall.
Energy is used to evaporate water.
Water vapor rises in atmosphere. Condensation releases energy into atmosphere. Water drops fall back to Earth. Rain cycle repeats itself. Over 100 scientific groups in the US, Japan, and across the world are currently busy analyzing these and other early findings from TRMM in an overall effort to better understand the climate machine.