Characteristics and correlation of return stroke, M component and continuing current for triggered lightning

Abstract Based on the channel-base current acquired from Guangdong Comprehensive Observation Experiment on Lightning Discharge (GCOELD), the characteristics and correlation of return stroke (RS), M component and continuing current (CC) were analyzed. As for RS, the geometric average values of peak current (PI), half-peak-width (HPW), rise time ( t 10–90% ) and charge transfer within 1 ms after the beginning of the RS (Q1ms) are 16.41 kA, 17.03 μs, 0.43 μs and 1.62 C, respectively. As for M component, the geometric average values of PI, duration, t 10–90% , HPW and charge transfer from the beginning to the end (Q) are 185.75 A, 1.68 ms, 0.42 ms, 0.70 ms and 0.11 C, respectively. As for CC, the duration, average current and charge transfer are 19.01 ms, 202.58 A and 3.85 C. 66% RSs in triggered lightning are followed by CC processes. And the percentages of long CC (duration ≥40 ms), short CC (10 ms 2  s, the long CC is highly unlikely to occur.

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