Comptes Rendus
Research article
3D Computation of Lightning Leader Stepped Propagation Inside a Realistic Cloud
Comptes Rendus. Physique, Online first (2024), pp. 1-22.

The simulation of lightning propagation is a complex problem studied for years. Here we propose to use the information from the electric potential created from a real cloud structure to study the propagation. The electric potential and field are calculated using a realistic thundercloud structure: the typical three layers cloud structure is constructed using a real cloud photograph. The different altitudes and separations of each layer are calculated from the luminosity of the picture and the space charge values are taken from data in the literature. A model of stepped leader propagation is proposed. It consists in finding by steps the path which maximises the potential difference taking into account the cloud and leader space charge. After each step, the electric potential is recalculated, and a new iteration gives a new direction. This framework permits us to analyse diverse cloud configurations. Only positive leaders from the base layer can reach the ground if the three layers are complete. Only negative lightning reaches the ground when the bottom positive layer is reduced (typical of the middle of a storm). Finally, when the two bottom layers are reduced in size (typical of the storm’s end), positive lightning from the upper positive layer can make its way into the cloud toward the ground. These simulated observations agree with the hypotheses made previously by Nag and Rakov.

La simulation de la propagation de la foudre est un problème complexe étudié depuis plusieurs années. Nous proposons ici d’utiliser les informations du potentiel électrique créé à partir d’une structure de nuage afin d’étudier la propagation. Le potentiel électrique et le champ sont calculés en utilisant une structure de nuage d’orage réaliste : la structure de nuage typique à trois couches est construite à partir d’une photographie de nuage réel. Le modèle de propagation consiste à trouver par étapes le chemin qui maximise la différence de potentiel en tenant compte de la charge spatiale du nuage et du leader. Ce cadre nous permet d’analyser diverses configurations de nuages qui sont présentées dans cet article.

Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Online First:
DOI: 10.5802/crphys.189
Keywords: lightning, electrical discharge, simulation, modelling, lightning propagation, electric field, cloud
Mot clés : foudre, décharge électrique, simulation, modélisation, propagation de la foudre, champ électrique, nuage

Philippe Dessante 1, 2

1 Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
2 Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 75252, Paris, France
License: CC-BY 4.0
Copyrights: The authors retain unrestricted copyrights and publishing rights
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     author = {Philippe Dessante},
     title = {3D {Computation} of {Lightning} {Leader} {Stepped} {Propagation} {Inside} a {Realistic} {Cloud}},
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     doi = {10.5802/crphys.189},
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Philippe Dessante. 3D Computation of Lightning Leader Stepped Propagation Inside a Realistic Cloud. Comptes Rendus. Physique, Online first (2024), pp. 1-22. doi : 10.5802/crphys.189.

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