Journal of Applied Research in Geographical Sciences

fa Spatiotemporal Analysis and Zoning of Lightning‑Associated Thunderstorms in Tehran Province During the Last Three Solar Cycles Spatiotemporal Analysis and Zoning of Lightning‑Associated Thunderstorms in Tehran Province During the Last Three Solar Cycles اب و هواشناسی climatology كاربردي Applicable <div style="text-align: justify;">Thunderstorms are considered compound atmospheric hazards, as they simultaneously involve several hazardous phenomena such as lightning, strong and gusty winds, intense convective rainfall, and torrential precipitation. Consequently, these storms are often associated with damage to urban infrastructure and environmental impacts. The objective of this study is to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of thunderstorms across Tehran Province over a 33‑year period corresponding to the last three solar cycles. Owing to its distinctive topographic conditions and geographical location, Tehran Province is regarded as one of the regions prone to the occurrence of this phenomenon. The data used in this research include lightning reports recorded at nine synoptic stations in Tehran Province during the period 1986–2019. To improve the accuracy of thunderstorm system identification, only events that were simultaneously recorded at a minimum of two stations and during at least two six‑hour observation intervals were selected. The analyses were conducted at monthly, seasonal, and annual scales using statistical and spatiotemporal approaches within the framework of three 11‑year solar cycles. Zoning maps of thunderstorm occurrence frequency were also produced for solar cycle 24 using a larger number of stations with an appropriate spatial distribution. The results indicate that the highest frequency of thunderstorms occurs during the spring season, particularly in May. Despite the passage of most precipitation systems during autumn and winter, the lowest thunderstorm activity was observed in winter. Approximately 70% of the systems had a one‑day duration, and more than half of the events were reported only twice per day. Spatially, Imam Khomeini station and, at a regional scale, the southwestern part of the province in most seasons and the northeastern part during summer exhibited the highest frequencies. Considering the economic and infrastructural impacts as well as aviation‑related hazards, the development of thunderstorm warning systems in Tehran Province appears to be essential. </div> Thunderstorms are considered compound atmospheric hazards, as they simultaneously involve several hazardous phenomena such as lightning, strong and gusty winds, intense convective rainfall, and torrential precipitation. Consequently, these storms are often associated with damage to urban infrastructure and environmental impacts. The objective of this study is to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of thunderstorms across Tehran Province over a 33‑year period corresponding to the last three solar cycles. Owing to its distinctive topographic conditions and geographical location, Tehran Province is regarded as one of the regions prone to the occurrence of this phenomenon. The data used in this research include lightning reports recorded at nine synoptic stations in Tehran Province during the period 1986–2019. To improve the accuracy of thunderstorm system identification, only events that were simultaneously recorded at a minimum of two stations and during at least two six‑hour observation intervals were selected. The analyses were conducted at monthly, seasonal, and annual scales using statistical and spatiotemporal approaches within the framework of three 11‑year solar cycles. Zoning maps of thunderstorm occurrence frequency were also produced for solar cycle 24 using a larger number of stations with an appropriate spatial distribution. The results indicate that the highest frequency of thunderstorms occurs during the spring season, particularly in May. Despite the passage of most precipitation systems during autumn and winter, the lowest thunderstorm activity was observed in winter. Approximately 70% of the systems had a one‑day duration, and more than half of the events were reported only twice per day. Spatially, Imam Khomeini station and, at a regional scale, the southwestern part of the province in most seasons and the northeastern part during summer exhibited the highest frequencies. Considering the economic and infrastructural impacts as well as aviation‑related hazards, the development of thunderstorm warning systems in Tehran Province appears to be essential. Thunderstorms, Spatiotemporal Distribution, Lightning, Solar Cycle. Tehran Province Thunderstorms, Spatiotemporal Distribution, Lightning, Solar Cycle. Tehran Province 0 0 http://jgs.khu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-104-1&slc_lang=fa&sid=1 mina daneshvar mina daneshvar minadaneshvar495495@gmail.com 100319475328460025206 100319475328460025206 No Ph.D. student in Climatology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Ph.D. student in Climatology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Hassan Lashkari Hassan Lashkari h-lashkari@sbu.ac.ir 100319475328460025205 100319475328460025205 Yes Professor of the Physical Geography Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Reza borna Reza borna bornareza@iau.ac.ir 100319475328460025207 100319475328460025207 No Associate Professor of Geography, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Ahvaz, Iran Associate Professor of Geography, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Ahvaz, Iran