[TowerTalk] Positive and Negative Lightning Strikes

[k1ttt at arrl.net]

by definition a 'negative' stroke is where the cloud is negatively charged
and the ground is positively charged.  a 'positive' stroke has negative
charge on the ground and positive in the cloud.

to confuse it even more there are downward leader initiated strokes and
upward leader initiated strokes that could be of either polarity.  this
just refers to where the initial stepped leader started from.

by far the most common are downward negative strokes where a negatively
charged leader starts down from the cloud.  positive downward strokes are
probably next likely and are often very large strokes initiated from the
tops of thunderheads.

this of course only covers strokes that hit the ground.  there are all
sorts of combinations of strokes that stay in one cloud or go between
clouds.

> Can anyone explain "positive" and "negative" lightning strikes? What is
> the difference?
>
> 73, Jerry K3BZ
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>