Lightning precursory electrostatics and a critique to some protection systems

The paper is essentially aimed at gaining an insight into the prominent role played by a charged thundercloud in influencing pre-stroke electrostatics and, therefore, leader dynamics. Substitutive of the usual dipole source representing a thundercloud cell, a recently recommended three-level set of planar charge distributions is the electrostatic model adopted. Accordingly, when a number of thundercloud cells with similar stages of maturation are realistically arranged as to form a unique large structure, representing a horizontally extended bank, the given electric field at ground is especially suggestive in predetermining, irrespective of the leader genesis, a restricted zone where the ground lightning strikes. Accordingly, convincing arguments are raised for discussing the preventing or intercepting features ascribed to some classes of lightning protection systems.