Abstract
Abstract An investigation of 125 storms (67 thunderstorms and 58 shower clouds with high electric fields) completed during 1945–1948 at the Zugspitze Observatory in Germany (10,000 ft) is presented. The results are discussed with regard to electrical conditions, precipitation, and some other meteorological details. Approximately 80 per cent of the observations were made inside clouds. The more important aspects of the results concern the following points: 1. Average position of space charges inside thunderclouds. A local positive charge is found precisely at the freezing level; it is located in the center of precipitation and lightning and has a restricted horizontal depth (order of magnitude: 1 km). In the same vertical air column, but at lower temperatures (around −8C), the center of the negative main charge is evidenced. The center of the positive main charge appears to be outside this air column, following at a distance somewhat behind the negative charge and at a higher level. 2. Role of precipitatio...
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