Lightning Behavior and Its Relationship with Topography, Precipitation, and Land Use in the São Francisco River Basin

With one of the highest rates of lightning activity globally, Brazil faces a significant natural hazard. The São Francisco River Basin (BHSF) represents a key area for studying this phenomenon. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution of lightning activity within the basin, identifies areas of maximum concentration (hotspots), and investigates its relationship with surface and atmospheric drivers. We used lightning data from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS; 1998–2013), precipitation (CHIRPS), topography (ASTER), and land use (MapBiomas) data, applying the K-means clustering technique for pattern segmentation. Results indicate that hotspots, with flash rates up to 39.9 flashes km⁻² yr⁻¹, are concentrated in the western portion of the basin, predominantly over plateau areas characterized by agricultural use. The temporal analysis revealed a distinct seasonal cycle, with maximum activity in summer coupled with the rainfall regime, and a diurnal peak in the late afternoon. We conclude that the interaction between topography-induced air uplift and surface alterations from agricultural land use are the primary modulators of the storm regime in the BHSF, offering valuable insights for risk mitigation strategies.