Abstract: Using the thunderstorm days, 2002-2013 yearly lightningflashes and historical weather maps from Meizhou during the past 60 years, the lightning activity patterns, and the synoptic causes of lightning occurrence in Meizhou were analyzed. The analyses showed that there were periodic changes in lightning activity in Meizhou city in the last 60 years. The frequency of lightning activity has slightly reduced during recent years. The spatial distribution characteristics showed lightening activity was high in the middle with a south to north decreasing trend. The Meijiang area had the highest occurrences of lightening and Jiaoling has the lowest. There was evidence of seasonal variation in thunderstorm days. Each year, the lightning activity distribution curve showed a single peak characteristic, mainly concentrated in April to September, especially in August. The daily lightning activity usually peaked between 2 and 7 p.m., being most frequently at 4 p.m. Risk zoning results showed that the high-risk areas of thunderstorm activity in Meizhou were located in central Meizhou, central Wuhua, and central and southern Fengshun. The low risk areas were located in the northern region, and the risk in the southern region was significantly stronger than that in the northern region. The law of lightning activity was closely related to the weather system. Using the information from this study, daily life can be planned to reduce lightening-related hazards.