Comptes Rendus
Mécanismes physiques du nuage d'orage et de l'éclair/The physics of thundercloud and lightning discharge
Physical processes during development of lightning flashes
Comptes Rendus. Physique, Volume 3 (2002) no. 10, pp. 1393-1409.

The objective of this paper is to review our present understanding of the physical processes in lightning flashes during their development within or outside a cloud, following lightning initiation. This represents the ‘big picture’ of lightning development, in the scale of the cloud dimensions themselves. Since the acceptance of the bi-directional, zero-net-charge leader concept, significant changes have occurred in our understanding of the key physical processes of which a lightning flash is comprised, and in the analytical relationship between the electrical structure of a cloud and lightning parameters. These changes are discussed with an emphasis on the unifying nature of the bi-directional leader concept.

Cet article présente les connaissances actuelles des processus physiques régissant le développement de l'éclair à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur du nuage, après la phase d'initiation. Il s'agit de proposer une vision d'ensemble du processus, à l'échelle du nuage lui-même. Depuis que le concept de leader bi-directionnel non chargé est complètement admis, notre compréhension des principaux mécanismes de l'éclair a évolué de façon significative et il est possible d'appréhender de façon analytique les relations entre la structure électrique du nuage d'orage et les paramètres caractéristiques de l'éclair. Ces nouvelles approches sont discutées en insistant sur le caractère unificateur du concept de leader bi-directionnel.

Published online:
DOI: 10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01412-3

Vladislav Mazur 1

1 National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK 73069, USA
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Vladislav Mazur. Physical processes during development of lightning flashes. Comptes Rendus. Physique, Volume 3 (2002) no. 10, pp. 1393-1409. doi : 10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01412-3. https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/physique/articles/10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01412-3/

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