Electromagnetic fields created by the lightning leader channel in the final jump phase

TL;DR

This paper investigates how lightning discharge parameters influence electromagnetic fields, revealing that peak electric fields and current steepness are primarily determined during the final jump phase of the leader channel.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the dependence of lightning electromagnetic fields on leader phase parameters, especially during the final jump phase.

Findings

Peak electric field values depend on streamer zone parameters.

Large return stroke current peaks are generated during the final jump phase.

Steepness of the return stroke current is linked to the final jump phase.

Abstract

The dependences between the parameters of the Lightning discharge in the leader phase and the return stroke phase are obtained. It is shown that the peak values of the electric field created by lightning are determined by the parameters of the streamer zone of the leader at the final jump phase. It is shown that a large peak value and the steepness of the lightning return stroke current are generated in the final jump phase.