Comparison of Far Electric Field Waveforms Produced by Rocket-Triggered Lightning Strokes and Subsequent Strokes in Natural Lightning

Abstract

Using electric field records obtained at the Lightning Observatory in Gainesville (LOG), Florida, we examined in detail the characteristics of far electric field waveforms produced by RTL (rocket-triggered lightning) and natural cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning. Electric field waveforms of 139 return strokes in flashes triggered by a rocket extending a grounded wire toward the overhead thundercloud in years 2013 to 2016 and 184 subsequent return strokes in natural lightning flashes from years 2013 to 2015 are used for this analysis. All strokes transported negative charge to ground. Similarities and dissimilarities of waveform parameters are examined and discussed. This is the first detailed comparison of electric field waveforms of RTL strokes and subsequent strokes in natural CGs recorded at approximately the same distance (some tens of kilometers) and by the same instrumentation.