Temporal and spatial analysis of lightning density in Türkiye

In this study, a temporal analysis of lightning density was performed on lightning data obtained from the Türkiye State Meteorological Service (TSMS) for the period 2017–2021, with the analysis encompassing hourly, monthly, seasonal, and annual scales. ArcGIS version 10.4.1 was used. When the annual lightning density was evaluated by regions, the highest values were observed in the Inner Aegean, Marmara, Southwest Anatolia, Western Black Sea, and Eastern Anatolia Regions. The Central Anatolia Region has the lowest lightning density. Lightning density is also the highest in late spring, early summer when the ground temperature and, thus, instability is highest. May and June were determined to have the highest lightning density, whereas December, January, and February had the lowest lightning density. Considering lightning activity hourly, the highest number of lightning strikes occurred at noon, while the lowest number occurred at night and during the morning hours. Upon examining the relationship of lightning with latitude and longitude values, it was concluded that the relationship with latitude values was more significant and positive. Lightning changes as a function of altitude: it increases between 30-150 m and 500-1000 m, while it decreases between 150-500 m and above 1000 m.