Acoustic and Electric Precursors of Strong Thunderstorm Events under Megalopolis Conditions

Abstract

Analysis of the results of instrumental observations of the electric field and micro-variations in the atmospheric pressure in the surface atmosphere during strong thunderstorms in Moscow in the period 2014−2016 is carried out. It is shown that the arrival of a thunderstorm front has been preceded by long-period (~10 min) variations in the electric field strength, internal gravity waves, and increased magnitudes of impedance acoustic correlation. After the arrival of a cold atmospheric front, as well as in the periods of thunderstorm events, high-frequency (~1 min) variations in the electric field and increased turbidity of the atmosphere are observed. Wind motions in the atmosphere are almost absent in the atmosphere, but internal gravity waves are observed at the final stage of the phenomena. The period of variations in the electric field increases up to ~15 min.