Estimation of W0/WT ratio for cloud-to-ground lightnings

The aim of this paper was to obtain the quantitative estimation of the W0/WT (initial electric energy/atmospheric parameter of a surrounding medium) ratio for CG lightnings initiated with a stepped leader process. The results of analytical and numerical models show that the W0/WT ratio for CG lightnings spans the range of approximately two orders of magnitude 20 ≤ W0/WT ≤ 2000. The results also suggest that CG lightnings differ significantly from small-scale discharges in the laboratories: the thundercloud CG lightnings occur at considerably lower initial electric energy, higher atmospheric parameter of the surrounding medium or a combination of both.