Statistical analysis of lightning activity in recurrent lightning locations in northeastern Colombia

Abstract

This study presents a temporal-based approach for identifying Recurrent Lightning Locations (RLLs) in the municipalities of Barrancabermeja and Yondó, in northeastern Colombia, using lightning data from 2014 to 2021. Results reveal that RLLs are predominantly situated near the Magdalena River. Temporally, lightning activity in RLSs shows a bimodal seasonal distribution with early morning peaks in stroke occurrence. The analysis of flash multiplicity and peak current distributions indicates that most events are single-stroke flashes with right-skewed current profiles, occasionally exceeding 75 kA. Notably, over 42% of RLLs are located outside high Ground Flash Density (GFD) zones, highlighting that lightning recurrence is not necessarily correlated with stroke density but is likely influenced by localized geographic and atmospheric factors. The study proposes a novel methodological framework centered on temporal recurrence rather than spatial density, offering practical implications for lightning risk assessment in infrastructure-critical regions. Results highlight the importance of considering both spatial and temporal dimensions in lightning risk assessment and offer a practical framework for improving lightning protection strategies in vulnerable regions. The application of temporal methodologies, as implemented in this study, constitutes a distinctive criterion for identifying sites with recurrent lightning activity, with a focus on the design of optimal lightning protection systems.