Characterization of lightning in the Lhasa region of Tibet

Abstract

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the macroscopic characteristics of lightning in the Lhasa area of Tibet, using the information collected by the ADTD lightning detection system at 50 km around Lhasa. A total of 1739 lightning returns were observed in 2012, of which 87.83% were negative. 71.4% of the negative lightning had only one return stroke, and 96.6% of the positive lightning had only one return stroke. Lightning activity in this region became frequent after the beginning of mid to late June, peaked in mid-July and then gradually decreased. During a day, lightning occurs mainly at night, with the number of flashes peaking around 21:00. The lightning current intensity of negative lightning is mainly distributed in the range of 10~20kA. The lightning current intensity of positive lightning is mainly distributed in the range of 30~40kA. High intensity lightning (greater than 50kA) occurs mainly in the range of 16:00~17:00.