About the direction of motion, polarity and multiplicity of lightning flashes hitting towers: a comparative analysis of data gathered in Brazil and Switzerland

摘要

After 17 years of research at Morro do Cachimbo station (MC) in Brazil, 51 flashes with strokes higher than 2 kA were registered. The data are compared with similar data obtained from the Mount San Salvatore station (SS), Switzerland, in terms of the incidence of downward or upward flashes, polarity, and flash multiplicity. The comparison indicates that at MC the percentage of upward flashes and the multiplicity of negative downward flashes are higher than at SS, while the percentage of downward positive flashes is lower. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (atmospheric electricity; lightning; instruments and techniques)