Characterization of convective weather and atmospheric environments over Turkish airports

Abstract Thunderstorms are hazardous convective phenomena producing thunder, lightning, heavy rainfall and strong winds, with critical implications for aviation safety. This study investigates the convective environments of thunderstorm (TS) and thunderstorm with rain (TSRA) events at Trabzon, Adana Sakirpasa and Malatya Airports between 2019 and 2023. Data sources include aviation reports for surface observations and ERA5 reanalysis for vertical atmospheric profiles. Twenty-one thermodynamic and kinematic parameters were calculated to characterize storm environments. The temporal analysis revealed station-specific differences in the seasonal timing and interannual frequency of thunderstorms. At Adana, TSs peaked in April, with the highest annual frequency in 2023; at Trabzon, June and 2019 were most active; and at Malatya, TSs concentrated in May–June, with 2023 recording the maximum annual count. TSRA was the dominant storm type across all locations, accounting for the majority of events. Overall, 220 convective events were recorded at Trabzon, 213 at Adana and 173 at Malatya. Convective environment analysis showed that Trabzon exhibited the highest mean convective available potential energy (CAPE—1002 J/kg) and lowest lifted condensation level (LCL—673 m), reflecting the maritime influence of the Black Sea. Adana presented intermediate instability but the longest storm durations (~ 15 h), linked to Mediterranean moisture supply and extended inland fetch. Malatya, under continental influence, displayed higher lapse rates but lowest CAPE (362 J/kg) and shorter-lived storms due to limited boundary-layer moisture. These findings emphasize the role of regional geography (maritime vs. continental vs. Mediterranean) in shaping convective environments. The defined “convective identities” for each airport provide a framework for improving thunderstorm forecasting and mitigating aviation-related weather hazards in Türkiye.