Abstract
A model of a leader breakdown in air was developed, in which the channel is formed by heating the streamer trace in the leader corona. To determine the initial conditions, the model of a streamer breakdown was proposed. The minimal field intensity required to support the streamer breakdown was determined. The dependence of the leader's speed on the cloud potential was obtained. The lightnings are initiated by relativistic avalanches, the formation threshold field strength of which is below the threshold of the streamer discharge. By comparing the thresholds of relativistic and streamer breakdowns the heights for realization of the proposed initiation mechanism are specified.
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