The Electric Field in the Surface Atmosphere of the Megapolis of Moscow

Abstract

The results of instrumental observations of the electric-field strength in the conditions of Moscow in 2014–2018 are presented and analyzed. The spectral characteristics of the electric-field variations and its daily variation are discussed. The effect of cold atmospheric fronts, hurricanes, squalls and thunderstorms, as well as technogenic phenomena (large fires), on the electric-field variation is demonstrated. It is shown that hurricanes, squalls, and thunderstorms are preceded by periods of 1 to 4 h characterized by specific electric-field variations, which can be considered a possible prognostic sign of strong atmospheric phenomena.