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The start of lightning: Evidence of bidirectional lightning initiation.

ABSTRACT: Lightning flashes are known to initiate in regions of strong electric fields inside thunderstorms, between layers of positively and negatively charged precipitation particles. For that reason, lightning inception is typically hidden from sight of camera systems used in research. Other technology such as lightning mapping systems based on radio waves can typically detect only some aspects of the lightning initiation process and subsequent development of positive and negative leaders. We report here a serendipitous recording of bidirectional lightning initiation in virgin air under the cloud base at ~11,000 images per second, and the differences in characteristics of opposite polarity leader sections during the earliest stages of the discharge. This case reveals natural lightning initiation, propagation and a return stroke as in negative cloud-to-ground flashes, upon connection to another lightning channel - without any masking by cloud.

SUBMITTER: Montanya J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4607992 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The start of lightning: Evidence of bidirectional lightning initiation.

Montanyà Joan J van der Velde Oscar O Williams Earle R ER

Scientific reports 20151016

Lightning flashes are known to initiate in regions of strong electric fields inside thunderstorms, between layers of positively and negatively charged precipitation particles. For that reason, lightning inception is typically hidden from sight of camera systems used in research. Other technology such as lightning mapping systems based on radio waves can typically detect only some aspects of the lightning initiation process and subsequent development of positive and negative leaders. We report he ...[more]

PMID: 26471123

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