Aircraft measurement of electrical parameters inside monsoon clouds

Abstract

Instruments were fabricated for measurement from aircraft, of (i) vertical component of potential gradient, (ii) cloud droplet charge and (iii) static discharge current. The instruments were flight tested on seven days in maritime and continental clouds during the 1974 summer monsoon. The paper describes the instruments and the preliminary results.

Electrical and Microphysical Responses to Salt Seeding in Warm Maritime Cumulus Clouds

“…In thicker clouds, a positive corona discharge current was found upon entry; it increased with cloud thickness and liquid water content. Positive electric fields were found at the bases of warm cumulus clouds (Selvam et al, 1976).…”