What scientists know about lightning formation in storm clouds may be changing.
Recently, the problem of lightning initiation seemed to be solved with the discovery of “fast positive breakdown” of air, which matched the theory long held by lightning researchers. Fast positive breakdown involves the downward development of a pathway in the cloud, moving from the positive charge at the top of the cloud to the negative charge in the middle of the cloud. The pathway forms at one-fifth the speed of light and can trigger lightning.
According to an article in Phys.org, a Japanese study found that NBEs are found at relatively high altitudes in thunderclouds. The article points out that "Based on their observations, the authors suggest that there is a critical cloud height—around 15 kilometers altitude—below which negative narrow bipolar discharges will not occur." This means that they may be useful for studying other aspects of formation, structure, and storm height.
NBEs can be positive or negative discharges. However, the characteristic most relevant to the new study is that NBEs emit the strongest radio frequency radiation from lightning. Such emissions can be detected by radio wave detectors. This study used something called a The"So What?" factor from this study is that lightning can be a significant hazard for people, airplanes and our infrastructure.
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