Topic: Lightning identification re positive or negative:

[Mike]

I have some questions for comment re lightning:

How can you tell if a CG is GC or visa versa?  If CG's are positive strikes and GC's are negative how can you tell which is which by looking at a completed stroke?

If you happen to view a stroke but the step leader stroke was missed how can you assertain what type it was?

Do positive and negative strikes look different?  Is one more branched than the other and are clean single bolts GC's and not CG's?

I have included some of my own photos if they assist in determining what is what and how you can tell!  The last shot was a single discharge which branched into two strokes that grounded.

I'm sure other members may have photos to distinguish what my question is and how you believe it is so.

Mike.

[Michael Bath]

I'm not convinced you can tell just by looking at the lightning. CGs originating in the top of storms are supposedly positive strikes.

I recall someone making claims about watching positive bolts during some SA storm but when questioned about how you can be sure I don't think there was a satisfactory answer.

MB