Abstract:Based on the ADTD lightning location data (2015-2023), DEM terrain elevation data and land use type data in the Ili River Valley, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning activities and their correlation with topography and land use type were studied. The results showed that: CG lightning in the Ili River Valley mainly occurred in the warm season (April-September), with the highest frequency in June. The diurnal variation of CG lightning frequency demonstrated a unimodal pattern, with the most active period between 17:00 and 22:00, which simultaneously corresponded to the weakest CG lightning intensity observed within a day. The CG lightning activities in the Ili River Valley predominantly occurred in mountainous terrain or transitional zones between plains and mountains, with three high-frequency regions located in the southern mountains of Tekes County, the southern and northern slopes of Wusun Mountain, and the northern mountainous region from Huocheng County to Yining County. June constituted the most active month for CG lightning in 51.2% of the study area, while July predominated in 43.8% of the territory. The diurnal peak occurrence time of CG lightning frequency exhibited a pronounced eastward delay, with plains regions demonstrating later peak times than mountainous regions. The frequency and density of CG lightning initially increased then decreased with rising elevation, reaching maximum values at 1500-2500 m. Regarding slope effects, CG lightning density followed a unimodal pattern peaking at 18-21°, while CG lightning frequency and intensity demonstrated statistically significant negative correlations with increasing slope angles. North-facing slopes exhibited the highest frequency of CG lightning, while east-facing slopes showed the greatest density. Among land use types, grasslands recorded the highest CG lightning frequency, whereas forested areas demonstrated the maximum density.