Abstract
The vertical distribution of precipitation charge in snow clouds was measured with electric charge sondes in the winter of 1976 in Sapporo.
The following results were obtained.
1. In the case of stratiform snow clouds which included no graupel pellets, the precipitation was composed of negatively charged snow crystals. Their negative electrification is considered to be made by the selective ion capture processes.
2. It was confirmed that the strong positive space charge observed in the lower portion or below the cloud base was carried by positively charged graupel pellets. The pellets are
considered to be positively charged by colliding with unrimed snow crystals at temperature regions warmer than about -10°C.
3. The local alternative space charges due to charged precipitation particles were observed. They corresponded to the rapid alternative change in the surface electric field.
