Experiments on charge transfer in graupel/crystal collisions

E. E. AVILA; N. E. CASTELLANO; C. P. R. SAUNDERS; R.E. BÜRGESSER; R. G. PEREYRA

Málaga

Workshop; Thunderstorm Effects on the Atmosphere-Ionosphere System; 2012

In electric measurements of thunderstorms  both on the ground and inside the  thunderstorms, it is observed that the charge  centers are located in regions where the  temperature is less than 0°C [1, 2]. Gaskell et al.  [3] carried out studies with airplanes that  penetrated inside the clouds to measure charges  in individual ice particles; they observed charges  of about 100 pC in particles of approximately 1  mm in size. These measurements made in situ  suggest that the ice phase intervenes in the  process of charge separation inside the clouds.