[Objective] The study aims to analyze characteristics of thunderstorm activity in Hefei City. [Method] Based on conventional ground observational data during1981-2010 and lightning location data in 2010-2013 in Hefei City, temporal and spatial variation of thunderstorm days were analyzed using statistical methods, and then the distribution laws of thunderstorm days were compared with the lightning location data. [Result] In Hefei City, multi-year average of thunderstorm days from1981 to 2010 was more in the south but less in the north, and annual distribution of thunderstorm days was extremely uneven. Moreover, there were obvious seasonal and monthly variation in thunderstorm days in Hefei City. Thunderstorm days were the most in summer, and monthly average of thunderstorm days in Hefei City had a peak in July. From 2010 to 2013, the monthly variation curves of total frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning and frequency of negative cloud-to-ground lightning in Hefei City had a peak each, and cloud-to-ground lightning was frequent in July and August, especially August. The frequency of cloud-to-ground lightning exceeded the average from 12：00 to 21：00. The maximum intensity of cloud-to-ground lightning in Hefei City varied greatly in different months, and it was the highest in July. There are certain differences between the two kinds of data in the distribution laws, so it is needed to combine data of lightning position indicator and long-term artificial observation data to study the detection efficiency of lightning position indicator. [Conclusion] The research can provide theoretical references for lightning protection and disaster reduction in Hefei City.
