Distribution of Negative Charge in the Cloud Taking Part in a Flash to Ground

Abstract

Field-changes due to lightning flashes to ground recorded by an electrostatic fluxmeter have been investigated to obtain information on the charge distribution in the cloud. The negatively charged column of Malan and Schonland is found to be applicable to intense thunderstorms in Japan. The analysis o f the stroke intervals of flashes of many strokes (10 or more stokes) leads to the conclusion that, though the charge is distributed in the column non-uniformly as several or scores of concentrations associated with small unit cells (about 300 meters diameter), the general density of the negative charge along the column is higher in its base, becoming gradually lower toward its top. Two or three small concentrations of negative charge are usually necessary to produce each stroke subsequent to the first. However, in the case of very active storms, it occasionally happens that a stroke is produced by a single small concentration of negative charge. © 1958, Japan Meteorological Agency. All rights reserved.