Meteorological Effects in the Atmospheric Electric Field in the High Latitudes

• Published in: Izvestiya. Atmospheric and oceanic physics 2005-09, Vol.41 (5)
• Main Authors: Shumilov, OI, Kasatkina, E A, Kulichkov, S N, Kallistratova, MA, Vasil'ev, AN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0001-4338

The results of simultaneous measurements of atmospheric electrical parameters, such as electricfield intensity and positive and negative electrical conductivities, and atmospheric pressure variations caused by varying meteorological conditions (rain, fog, snowstorms, and thunderstorms) are given. The measurements were taken with the use of a high-latitude automated system (VKIAVE) located on the Kola Peninsula in the city of Apatity (65.6 degree N, 33.4 degree E). The system contains three spaced microbarographs for measuring atmospheric waves in the frequency range between 10 super(-4) and 1 Hz (the base is of about 300 m), the equipment to measure electric-field intensity and conductivity, a telemetry system, and an automated data collector. The dependence of seasonal and daily variations in the E sub(z) component of the electric field in the atmospheric surface layer on variations in the components of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and galactic cosmic rays, as well as on the level of magnetic perturbation is additionally studied. The similarity between the daily dependences of the IMF southern B sub(z) component and the vertical component of the atmospheric electric field is revealed for two seasons--fall and spring.