During the year, depending on the latitude and climatic zone, the number of thunderstorms and their intensity vary greatly, these parameters decrease to the Northern latitudes due to a decrease in humidity and temperature and, accordingly, a decrease in the probability of forming conditions for the formation of convective and thunderstorm clouds. The article deals with the mechanisms of dangerous effects of lightning discharges. The electric parameters of the discharges for thunderstorm processes in the atmosphere were studied using data from the geophysical monitoring center of the FGIBU "VGI", which includes a network of sensors of the automatic thunder-gauge finder - the range finder LS8000. The results of the analysis of the recording of ground-discharge currents and the time of their growth obtained during the period of its operation are presented. The authors determined the statistical distributions of the lightning current amplitude. It is established that the discharge parameters in different regions differ and can change with time. This means that for the effective operation of lightning protection systems and the implementation of measures to ensure life safety during thunderstorms, it is necessary to monitor the lightning situation in each individual region.

Keywords: atmospheric electricity, lightning discharges, lightning guides, lightning protection measures, life safety