Changes of meteorological parameters and lightning current during water impounded in Three Gorges area

•The surrounding microclimate changed after impoundment of Three Gorges Project.•Average air temperature presents rising trend in Three Gorges area during water impoundment.•Average relative humidity appears descending trend in Three Gorges area during water impoundment.•Appearance frequency of lightning current above 100 kA is increased evidently.•Changes of meteorological parameters lead to enhance the lighting activity.

With the completion of Three Gorges Project and its water impoundment started from 2003, a big reservoir with water area of 1.08 × 109 m2 and volume of 3.93 × 1010 m3 has been formed, which causes the surrounding microclimate changed. This paper compared the changes of meteorological parameters and Cloud-to-Groundare one of the reasons that lead to lighting activity enhancing.