Temporal and Spatial Variations in Lightning Activity and Meteorological Parameters Across the Indian Himalayan Region and Indo-Gangetic Plains

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the temporal and spatial variations in lightning activity and its association with key meteorological parameters across the northwestern Indian Himalayan region and the Indo-Gangetic Plains from January to June 2022. The analysis utilizes high-resolution datasets from the International Space Station-Lightning Imaging Sensor (ISS-LIS) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5th Generation (ERA-5). The results reveal a pronounced peak of 1,858 lightning flashes in May, following a gradual increase from 36 flashes in March. Lightning activity was predominantly concentrated between elevations of 829 m and 3,200 m, with the normalized lightning flash count peaking at 2,410 m. Spatially, the foothills of the Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic Plain exhibited the highest lightning concentrations. Meteorological analysis demonstrated that Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) and Sensible Heat Flux (SHF) showed strong positive (r = 0.62) and moderate positive (r = 0.56) correlations, respectively, with lightning activity. Seasonal patterns indicated a peak in lightning activity during the pre-monsoon season, attributed to elevated CAPE (135.79 J/kg) and SHF (72.38 W/m²). In contrast, the monsoon season experienced reduced lightning activity despite higher CAPE (269.10 J/kg) and SHF (109.42 W/m²), likely due to the cooling effects of increased rainfall. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) further confirmed the critical influence of CAPE, SHF, and surface temperature on lightning dynamics. These findings aim to provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between meteorological variables and lightning activity, enhancing our understanding of thunderstorm dynamics and contributing to the development of improved lightning mitigation strategies.