Observed Time Lag of Upward Lightning Current Pulses from Electric Field Pulses in Winter

Abstract

Lightning current to a radar tower near the coast of the Sea of Japan has been observed since 2014. Positive current pulses exceeding +140kA and negative single pulses exceeding -30kA were observed. The characteristics of the current pulses are different from those of ordinary return strokes. Based on the observation of lightning current and electric field, their sources are inferred to be current pulses travelling down paths of upward leaders associated with upward lightning. This result validates the electromagnetic model of high current pulses associated with upward lightning.