Abstract:
This study utilized a self-developed four-channel measuring instrument for multiple parameters of precipitation particles, including charge, velocity, and impact amplitude, to conduct continuous observation and analysis of the electrical characteristics of precipitation particles during summer thunderstorms in 2025. The observation data were processed using EMD filtering to remove (or mitigate) high-frequency, low-frequency interference, and DC components. Based on Pearson correlation, precise automatic matching of multi-channel precipitation particle charge induction waveforms and calculation of precipitation particle terminal velocity were achieved. Furthermore, the Beard algorithm was applied to inversely derive precipitation particle size, and a qualitative analysis of the correlation between particle size and impact amplitude was provided. The results indicate that the charge carried by precipitation particles primarily ranges from -15 to 15 pC; the diameter of charged precipitation particles mostly falls between 0.5 mm and 4 mm; impact amplitude is positively correlated with particle size and velocity, which may provide a quantitative basis for inversely estimating precipitation particle size. Additionally, the observation sequences show that hydrometeors carrying both positive and negative charges generally persist throughout the duration of a thunderstorm, with only a brief period during which one polarity of precipitation particle charge predominates absolutely. Analysis of the charge-to-mass ratio distribution reveals that as the thunderstorm develops and moves, the charge-to-mass ratio exhibits periodic strengthening and weakening, which may be related to the developmental stage of the thunderstorm and the intensity of internal electrification.