Abstract: The lightning characteristics of 13 hail weather cases in Central and Western Guizhou province were analyzed by using the data of the 3-D lightning monitoring network,a new generation of weather radar and ground observations.The results show that the whole life history of hailstorms is mainly caused by negative lightning and accompanies heavy rainfall.At the developing stage of the hailstorm cloud,the lightning frequency in hailstorm zone increased obviously.The lightning frequency appeared "sharp jumping" before hailstorm occurred.The lightning frequency in some hailstorm spots increased twice.At the hail cloud dissipation stage,the frequency of lightning decreased significantly.The total flashes and positive flashes of hailstorm clouds were higher than those of thunderstorm clouds.The lightning frequency per 5 minutes being more than 16 times and increasing more than 12 times per 5 minutes could be used as an index to identify hailstorm clouds.In addition,the hail zone is relatively overlapped with the center of lightning density.The position of lightning density center is slightly ahead of the hail position.The lightning distribution indicates the developing direction of hail cloud.The above characteristics can provide a reference for hail recognition,hailstone short-term warning,and artificial hail suppression.

Key words: Hail cloud, Lightning frequency, Lightning density, Hail cloud echo, Hail early-warning