The development of lightning discharges

Abstract

Abstract The interpretation of experimental observations, described in a preceding paper, of the electrostatic field‐changes due to lightning flashes, is considered. It is found that almost all the recorded field‐changes can be most simply explained in terms of leaders carrying negative charge and originating in the lower part of a thundercloud. Those that reach the ground are succeeded by return strokes. It is considered that both leaders and return strokes consist of a central core surrounded by an envelope of corona; this corona concept, originally advanced by Bruce, leads to a coherent picture of the phenomena observed.