Analysis of Lightning Activity Characteristics in the Pearl River Delta Region from 1999 to 2023

LIU Sanmei; LIU Zinan; ZHUANG Yanxun; LI Xin; FAN Zhongzhi

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-6190.2025.03.010

Abstract：To better carry out lightning disaster prevention and mitigation,this study analyzes the char-acteristics of lightning activity in the Pearl River Delta(PRD)region using data from the Guangdong Lightning Location and Monitoring System from 1999 to 2023.The results indicate that lightning activity in the PRD re-gion is frequent,with Guangzhou being the most densely affected area,while Zhaoqing,Zhuhai,and Jiangmen are relatively less affected.The average lightning density in the PRD region is 23.2 flashes·km-2·a-1,with the highest density in Guangzhou(34.10 flashes·km-2·a-1)and the lowest in Jiangmen(15.91 fla-shes·km-2·a-1).The average lightning current intensity is 26.06 kA,with the highest in Zhuhai(30.42 kA)and the lowest in Huizhou and Guangzhou(23.70 kA and 23.88 kA,respectively).The spa-tial distribution of lightning current intensity shows an opposite trend to that of lightning density.The PRD region exhibits significant seasonal variations in lightning activity,primarily occurring during the pre-flood season and post-flood season,accounting for 30.63％and 62.06％of total activity,respectively.The annu-al distribution follows a single-peak pattern,concentrated mainly from May to September,with the peak oc-curring in August.Diurnally,lightning activity is most frequent between 12:00 and 20:00,peaking from 14:00 to 16:00.The ratio of negative cloud-to-ground flashes to positive ones is approximately 7∶1.Light-ning currents are predominantly in the range of 10-50 kA,accounting for over 85％of cases,with a medi-an current(50％cumulative probability)of 19.13 kA.This study provides a scientific basis for refining re-gional lightning risk assessment and improving the effectiveness of lightning disaster prevention strategies in the PRD region.