卫星观测的中国及周边地区闪电密度的气候分布

雷暴和闪电活动的气候分布是一个地区气候的基本特征之一, 迄今对中国及周边地区闪电密度分布的实际情况尚缺乏详尽的了解. 基于星载 OTD (1995.4~2000.3)和 LIS (1997.12~2003.3)共8 a观测的闪电资料分析, 给出了这一地区0.5°×0.5°网格点的闪电密度分布, 仔细分析发现: (ⅰ) 喜马拉雅山系南北两侧平均闪电密度的比值达到10倍, 而中国陆地东部和西部平均闪电密度的比值为3.5倍, 闪电密度平均值随海陆距离和纬度呈现规律性的变化, 与年平均降水量的相应变化趋势一致, 说明青藏高原和由西向东的三级阶梯状的大尺度地形以及纬度是形成这个地区雷电活动气候分布总体特征的基本因素. (ⅱ) 中国陆地闪电密度分布的区域性差异是显著的, 在不同的地理环境下闪电密度高值带(中心)与中尺度地形有不同的对应关系: 中国东部湿润地区高闪电密度带经常出现在南北或东北-西南走向、海拔500~1500 m的中尺度山脉和丘陵地区附近, 两者水平尺度和走向大体一致, 而闪电低密度带则经常出现在山间盆(谷)地和平原地区; 中国西部寒旱地区闪电相对密度高值区主要分布在祁连山南麓青海湖地区、天山向西的伊犁河谷以及唐古拉山与念青唐古拉山两山之间的盆地; 滨海100 km以内的海陆过渡带上, 在一系列有山体和丘陵地形隆起及大城市等地区出现闪电密度高值中心. (ⅲ) 中国近海的平均闪电密度是全球海洋相应值的5倍; 而在黑潮主干海域有闪电高密度带, 密度值比邻近海域高2~5倍, 这是黑潮主干海域的高温、高盐特征显著影响该海域强对流发展的一个新的事实. 另外, 还给出了安徽省的云闪/云地闪比Z值约为3.0.     

雷暴激发的环状重力波在中高层大气中的传播特征

本文使用中国科学院国家空间科学中心——子午工程朔州观测站的全天空气辉成像数据,以及FY-2气象卫星云顶亮温数据（Black Body Temperature,TBB）,气象再分析数据和地闪数据,研究了2013年8月10日（LT）发生在内蒙古地区的雷暴活动激发的中高层环状重力波（Concentric Gravity Waves,CGWs）事件.根据最小二乘法的拟合结果和色散关系理论曲线,确定了激发中高层环状重力波的强对流系统,该对流中心位于内蒙古自治区中部（108.9°E,40.47°N）,重力波激发于雷暴初期,此时TBB低于220 K的深对流面积较小,随着时间的推移,该次雷暴活动越来越强,深对流面积在23：00达到最大,在23：30-24：00 LT时闪电频数最高,达到120.7 fl/min,随后深对流逐渐消散.在中高层87 km处OH（羟基）气辉层观测到的一次CGWs事件的两组波纹,分别沿水平方向传播了149.64 km和174.25 km,相应位置处的水平波长分别为12.67 km和16.75 km,周期分别为8.56 min和10.72 min,激发时间分别为19：34 LT和19：40 LT;随着水平传播距离的增加,CGWs水平波长增大.     

新疆天山地区壳幔S波速度结构特征及变形分析

天山地区地质构造复杂,地震活动频繁,其壳幔变形和深部结构一直受到学者们的高度关注.然而,由于天山地区地震台站资料较少,致使壳幔变形研究结果与解释存在诸多争议.本研究利用在天山地区（40°N-46°N,78°E-92°E）新布设的11个流动宽频带地震台站和该地区39个固定台站的观测资料,采用接收函数与面波联合反演方法,获得了研究区地壳厚度及壳幔S波速度结构.反演结果显示天山地区（41.5°N-44°N,78°E-88°E）平均地壳厚度为56 km,塔里木盆地（40°N-41.5°N,79°E-90°E）、准噶尔盆地（44°N-46°N,82°E-90°E）和吐鲁番盆地（42°N-43°N,88°E-90°E）具有较厚的沉积层,地壳平均厚度为43 km、53 km和46 km,整体表现为天山厚、盆地相对较薄的特征;在研究区南天山的最高峰（42°N,80.5°E）及北天山的最高峰（43.5°N,86°E）附近,中下地壳存在较厚的低速层,我们认为在强烈挤压作用下低速、低强度的中下地壳强烈变形可能是导致该区域快速隆升的主要原因.在研究区中部,位于塔里木盆地与准噶尔盆地之间的天山地区,中下地壳及上地幔均存在低速层,且盆地莫霍面向天山倾斜明显.结合前人的研究成果推测,在南北向构造挤压应力作用下,塔里木盆地与准噶尔盆地发生了向天山造山带方向的双向壳幔层间插入俯冲.在研究区东部,塔里木盆地东北缘与天山东部接触带的地壳内没有明显的低速层,推测应处在早期挤压变形状态,该区域的壳幔边界为缓变的速度梯度带,可能与上地幔热物质侵入或渗透有关.     

亚洲季风区深对流系统的区域分布和日变化特征

利用TRMM卫星12年的观测资料,分析了亚洲季风区20dBZ回波顶高大于14km的深对流系统的分布特征,结合NCEP再分析资料对深对流系统的空间分布特征成因进行了探讨,并对不同地形条件下的深对流系统进行了对比研究.结果表明,深对流系统主要发生在陆地上,夏季风爆发前,深对流系统主要分布在20°N以南;季风爆发后,深对流系统的分布向中纬度地区发展并以青藏高原南麓地区最活跃.青藏高原上的深对流系统的发生频数较中国中东部高,但水平尺度小,对流强度较弱,而中国中东部地区的深对流系统虽然发生频数较低但对流强,且闪电频数大.洋面上的深对流系统表现为最小红外亮温小（对应云顶高）,40dBZ回波最大面积比陆地上大但出现高度较低,闪电频数少.陆地上的深对流系统主要集中发生在午后至午夜,青藏高原上的深对流更加集中的发生在午后至傍晚,海洋上发生在凌晨至日出前的深对流系统较其他时段多,但日变化幅度不大,热带海洋性大陆深对流的日变化与大陆上类似.     

我国对流层二氧化碳非均匀动态分布特征及其成因

人类活动导致大气中温室气体浓度上升,是全球气候变暖的主要原因之一.本文针对已经连续运行13年的AIRS（Atmospheric Infrared Sounder）卫星反演的对流层中层CO₂浓度资料,利用地基观测结果对其进行验证,同时结合多种相关资料对我国区域CO₂浓度的时空分布及季节变化进行研究.结果显示：北半球30°N—60°N是CO₂浓度高值带,低值中心主要出现在15°S—15°N,140°W向东至100°E的低纬地区.地基观测与AIRS卫星反演结果基本一致,年增长率约为1.926 ppmv·a^-1.我国区域CO₂浓度空间分布上呈现北高南低的非均匀分布特征,4个高值中心分别位于东北地区西南部、内蒙古西部、新疆地区东部和西部,低值中心在云南和西藏地区.我国区域CO₂浓度有明显的季节变化特征,最高值出现在春季,冬夏季次之,秋季最低,其季节演变特点与风场的输送、降水量的清除和植被的吸收等密切相关.     

全球大洋混合层深度的计算及其时空变化特征分析

本文利用2005-2009年的全球网格化Argo数据,分别采用温度判据和密度判据计算了全球大洋混合层深度(Mixed Layer Depth, MLD),讨论了障碍层(Barrier Layer, BL)和补偿层(Compensated Layer, CL)对混合层深度计算的影响,得到了合成的混合层深度,并研究了其时空变化特征. 研究表明:(1)在赤道西太平洋(10°S -5°N,150°E-150°W),孟加拉湾,热带西大西洋(10°N-20°N,30°W-60°W)是障碍层高发区域. 冬季的北太平洋副热带区域(30°N附近)以及东北大西洋(40°N-60°N,0°-30°W)是补偿层发生的区域. (2) 在各个半球的夏季MLD都比较浅,在各个半球的冬季MLD则普遍比较深. 北太平洋和北大西洋的MLD的分布和变化比较相似,印度洋MLD受季风影响显著,呈现半年周期变化. 太平洋和大西洋的MLD 的经向分布大致呈现出"两端深,中间浅"的拱形特点. (3)混合层深度距平场EOF第一模态时间变化为周期的年信号,北太平洋和北大西洋、南大洋(尤其是南极绕流区)都是MLD变化剧烈的海域,第二模态显示全球大洋混合层深度距平存在着一个半年的变化周期.     

夏季南亚高压对流层中上层异常暖中心时空分布特征及其激发的大气波动

利用1979年1月至2016年12月ERA-interim月平均再分析资料和CAMP全球月降水资料,分析夏季（6—8月）南亚高压下方500 hPa到100 hPa暖中心的时空分布,从三维结构来揭示夏季南亚高压暖心特征.回归分析进一步探讨青藏高原上空暖中心对全球大气环流产生的可能影响.结果表明：南亚高压在150 hPa达到最强,这一层也是异常冷暖中心分界面,150 hPa以下有一强大异常暖中心,异常暖中心位于300 hPa附近,150 hPa以上为异常冷中心,中心位置位于70 hPa附近.异常暖中心从500 hPa向上逐渐向西向北倾斜,异常暖中心面积200 hPa达最大,150 hPa异常暖中心消失,100 hPa以上转变为异常冷中心.500~200 hPa异常暖中心表现出不断增暖的长期趋势（1979—2016）,100 hPa异常冷中心则表现出不断变冷的长期趋势（1979—2016）.去掉长期趋势的时间序列表现出明显的"准两年振荡"特征,异常暖中心位置在纬向上较稳定,在经向上表现出年际的"东西振荡".300 hPa异常暖中心是整个南亚高压的关键层.300 hPa异常暖中心对全球其他变量场进行回归分析.高度回归场表明,青藏高原上空异常暖中心在北半球中高纬度高度场上激发出3波的行星波,波特征在对流层中上层表现明显,波振幅随高度增高不断加强,在对流层中下层逐渐减弱并消失.纬向风回归场在对流层中上层表现出横跨南北半球的波列,这个波列在200 hPa振幅最大.经向风回归场在北半球中纬度（30°N—60°N）表现出7波型,说明南北能量交换频繁.降水回归场表明,东亚地区长江中下游至日本降水偏少,而其南北两侧降水偏多.     

雷暴云底部正电荷区对闪电类型影响的数值模拟

在经典的雷暴云三极电荷结构的假定下结合已有的随机放电参数化方案,进行了二维高分辨率闪电放电的模拟实验,定量的探讨了雷暴云底部正电荷对闪电类型的影响．结果表明：（1）雷暴云底部正电荷对负地闪和反极性云闪的产生起了关键作用,随着底部正电荷区的电荷密度大小或分布范围的增大,闪电类型依次从正极性云闪向负地闪再向反极性云闪变化;（2）相对于电荷区分布范围而言,底部正电荷区的电荷密度大小对闪电类型的影响起主导作用．只有当雷暴云底部正电荷区的最大电荷密度取值在一定范围内时,才会出现负地闪,并且负地闪的发生概率相对固定;（3）在该范围内,负地闪的发生由底部正电荷区的电荷密度大小以及分布范围共同决定,且其与云闪触发条件之间存在一个线性边界;（4）底部正电荷区的电荷密度大小以及分布范围的共同效果是改变底部正位势阱的分布,当闪电启动参考电位接近0MV时生成反极性云闪,而当其远小于0MV时则更容易形成负地闪．     

内蒙古东部地区波速比变化特征研究

以内蒙古地震监测台网的监测能力和资料完整性为基础,结合内蒙古东部地区（41°～51°N,114.5°～124.6°E）实际地震地质构造特点,选取了内蒙古东部地区（41°～51°N,114.5 ° ～ 124.6°E） 2008-2012年的ML≥2.0地震作为研究对象,利用多台和达法计算得出了该区域的平均波速比及其变化特征.通过分析该地区两次中等地震震例,发现内蒙古东部地区在中等地震前后波速比时间变化存在显著异常,符合“下降—低值—恢复—发震”的规律,且存在着震后异常期的变化;在对该区域内波速比绘制空间等值线后,发现该区域内波速比高值主要是沿着大兴安岭分布,其空间分布基本呈现东低西高、北低南高的态势.综合研究了区域地震地质背景和最近一两年研究区域内波速比变化,得出内蒙古东部地区地下介质的应力变化比较显著,具备发生中强地震的地质构造条件.     

马尼拉俯冲带的地震层析成像研究

基于国际地震中心的P波走时数据和层析成像反演方法,获得了具有较高分辨率的马尼拉俯冲带的深部速度模型.结果表明,（1）高速的南海俯冲板片沿马尼拉俯冲带的俯冲形态随纬度发生变化,在14°N和16°N之间,板片俯冲角度较大,俯冲深度可达400~500 km,在17°N附近,俯冲板片角度和深度较南部变小,而在18°N附近,俯冲板片以近垂直角度俯冲到地幔转换带;（2）17°N和18°N之间俯冲角度的变化意味着南海板片发生了撕裂;（3）在14°N附近,南海板片由300 km以上的近垂直俯冲转为200~300 km深度的近水平展布,与震源分布存在较大的差异,表明南海板片发生了撕裂,并且导致410 km间断面抬升.根据成像结果计算的不同位置南海板片的俯冲长度和时间表明,南海板片俯冲之前的面积为现今面积的两倍,14°N最先开始发生俯冲,并由南向北扩展.     

北京地区闪电活动与气溶胶浓度的关系研究

基于2015—2017年北京闪电定位网(BLNET)总闪资料与35个自动空气质量监测站PM2.5数据,分析了北京地区(39.5°N—41.0°N,115.0°E—117.5°E)夏季(6—8月)闪电活动与PM2.5的时空分布特征,同时针对117次雷暴天气,探讨了气溶胶浓度变化对闪电活动的可能影响.结果表明:PM2.5浓度及总闪密度均呈现自西北向东南升高的空间分布特征.闪电峰值在污染背景下出现的时间(19∶00LT)晚于清洁背景下(15∶00LT)约4h,且总闪百分比(～20%)可达清洁背景下(～9%)的两倍.对雷暴前1～4h的PM2.5浓度与时间窗(12∶00—22∶00LT)内总闪数目的中位数进行相关分析,发现PM2.5浓度低于130μg·m-3时,PM2.5与总闪数存在明显正相关,此时气溶胶可能通过影响云微物理过程进而影响雷暴的对流发展,增强闪电活动;PM2.5大于150μg·m-3时,总闪数随PM2.5浓度的增加呈减少趋势,可能的原因是高气溶胶浓度下地面太阳辐射显著下降,对流活动受到抑制,导致闪电活动减少.当PM2.5浓度在130～150μg·m-3时,两者关系不明显.     

Study of charge structure and radiation characteristic of intracloud discharge in thunderstorms of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The comprehensive observations on lightning discharges were conducted in Naqu area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in summer of 2002. The electric structures of thunderstorms and the characteristics of lightning discharges at initial stage were analyzed by using the observation data. The results show that most of intracloud (IC) lightning flashes were polarities inverted in thunderstorms with tripole electric charge structure and occurred between negative charge region located in the middle of the thunderstorm and positive charge region located at the bottom of the thunderstorm. The radiation characteristics of discharge processes in cloud with longer lasting time involved in Cloud-to-Ground (CG) lightning flashes were similar to that of IC discharges.A lot of radiation pulses were produced in these discharge processes. Because the IC discharges took place at the bottom of thundercloud and were near the ground, they may produce more serious damage to equipment on the ground therefore should not be neglected in lightning protection.     

Study of charge structure and radiation characteristic of intracloud discharge in thunderstorms of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The comprehensive observations on lightning discharges were conducted in Naqu area of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in summer of 2002. The electric structures of thunderstorms and the characteristics of lightning discharges at initial stage were analyzed by using the observation data. The results show that most of intracloud (IC) lightning flashes were polarities inverted in thunderstorms with tripole electric charge structure and occurred between negative charge region located in the middle of the thunderstorm and positive charge region located at the bottom of the thunderstorm. The radiation characteristics of discharge processes in cloud with longer lasting time involved in Cloud-to-Ground (CG) lightning flashes were similar to that of IC discharges. A lot of radiation pulses were produced in these discharge processes. Because the IC discharges took place at the bottom of thundercloud and were near the ground, they may produce more serious damage to equipment on the ground therefore should not be neglected in lightning protection.     

Understanding the dynamical-microphysical-electrical processes associated with severe thunderstorms over the Beijing metropolitan region

The Dynamical-microphysical-electrical Processes in Severe Thunderstorms and Lightning Hazards(STORM973)project conducted coordinated comprehensive field observations of thunderstorms in the Beijing metropolitan region(BMR)during the warm season from 2014 to 2018.The aim of the project was to understand how dynamical,microphysical and electrical processes interact in severe thunderstorms in the BMR,and how to assimilate lightning data in numerical weather prediction models to improve severe thunderstorm forecasts.The platforms used in the field campaign included the Beijing Lightning Network(BLNET,consisting of 16 stations),2 X-band dual linear polarimetric Doppler radars,and 4 laser raindrop spectrometers.The collaboration also made use of the China Meteorological Administration’s mesoscale meteorological observation network in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.Although diverse thunderstorm types were documented,it was found that squall lines and multicell storms were the two major categories of severe thunderstorms with frequent lightning activity and extreme rainfall or unexpected local short-duration heavy rainfall resulting in inundations in the central urban area,influenced by the terrain and environmental conditions.The flash density maximums were found in eastern Changping District,central and eastern Shunyi District,and the central urban area of Beijing,suggesting that the urban heat island effect has a crucial role in the intensification of thunderstorms over Beijing.In addition,the flash rate associated with super thunderstorms can reach hundreds of flashes per minute in the central city regions.The super(5%of the total),strong(35%),and weak(60%)thunderstorms contributed about 37%,56%,and 7%to the total flashes in the BMR,respectively.Owing to the close connection between lightning activity and the thermodynamic and microphysical characteristics of the thunderstorms,the lightning flash rate can be used as an indicator of severe weather events,such as hail and short-duration heavy rainfall.Lightning data can also be assimilated into numerical weather prediction models to help improve the forecasting of severe convection and precipitation at the cloud-resolved scale,through adjusting or correcting the thermodynamic and microphysical parameters of the model.     

Numerical simulation of the effect of lower positive charge region in thunderstorms on different types of lightning

Combined with the existing stochastic lightning parameterization scheme, a classic tripole charge structure in thunderstorms is assumed in the paper, and then 2-dimensional fine-resolution lighting discharge simulations are performed to quantitatively investigate the effect of lower positive charge (LPC) on different types of lightning. The results show: (1) The LPC plays a key role in generating negative cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes and inverted intra-cloud (IC) lightning, and with the increase of charge density or distribution range of LPC region, lightning type changes from positive polarity IC lightning to negative CG flashes and then to inverted IC lightning. (2) Relative to distribution range of charge regions, the magnitude of charge density of the LPC region plays a dominant role in lightning type. Only when the maximal charge density value of LPC region is within a certain range, can negative CG flashes occur, and the occurrence probability is relatively fixed. (3) In this range, the charge density and distribution range of LPC region jointly determine the occurrence of negative CG flashes, which has a linear boundary with the trigger condition of IC lightning. (4) The common effect of charge density and distribution range of the LPC region is to change the distribution of positive potential well of bottom part of thunderstorms, and inverted IC lightning occurs when the initial reference potential is close to 0 MV, and negative CG flashes occur when the initial reference potential is far less than 0 MV.     

太阳活动高、低年东亚中、低纬地区扩展F特性比较研究

扩展F(Spread-F)作为重要的电离层不规则结构之一,对电波传播、导航、通讯等有重要的影响,因此对其时、空特性的研究一直倍受重视.本文通过分析低纬海南台站和中纬长春与乌鲁木齐台站的测高仪数据,比较研究了太阳活动高、低年我国中、低纬地区夜间电离层扩展F的发生特性.扩展F发生率特性主要体现在:无论低纬还是中纬太阳活动低年扩展F发生率最大值高于太阳活动高年;无论太阳活动高年还是低年低纬站扩展F发生率最大值高于中纬站.细节特征主要体现在:首先,三台站在太阳活动高、低年扩展F发生率都存在双峰结构.太阳活动高年,低纬海南站双峰结构集中在春、秋分季节,而中纬站则集中在冬、夏季节,扩展F较容易发生的地方时低纬站主要集中在子夜前,而中纬站则偏向子夜后;在太阳活动低年,中、低纬双峰结构都出现在冬、夏季节,低纬海南站扩展F较突出的出现在子夜前后,而中纬台站则主要出现在子夜及子夜后.其次,双峰结构中的细节表现不同,如低纬海南站太阳活动高年扩展F较容易发生在春分季节,但2月和4月份发生率都比较高而且接近,而太阳活动低年扩展F较容易发生在夏季月份,但5月和7月的发生率也都比较高且接近,且太阳活动高、低年低纬主峰峰值非常接近,不像中纬地区有明显的差异等.本文针对实测数据进行了详细的分析并结合已有研究进行了细致的讨论.     

Thunderstorms,Lightning, Sprites and Magnetospheric Whistler-Mode Radio Waves

Thunderstorms and the lightning that they produce are inherently interesting phenomena that have intrigued scientists and mankind in general for many years. The study of thunderstorms has rapidly advanced during the past century and many efforts have been made towards understanding lightning, thunderstorms and their consequences. Recent observations of optical phenomena above an active lightning discharge along with the availability of modern technology both for data collection and data analysis have renewed interest in the field of thunderstorms and their consequences in the biosphere. In this paper, we review the electrification processes of a thunderstorm, lightning processes and their association with global electric circuit and climate. The upward lightning discharge can cause sprites, elves, jets, etc. which are together called transient luminous events. Their morphological features and effects in the mesosphere are reviewed. The wide spectrum of electromagnetic waves generated during lightning discharges couple the lower atmosphere with the ionosphere/magnetosphere. Hence various features of these waves from ULF to VHF are reviewed with reference to recent results and their consequences are also briefly discussed.     

青藏高原那曲地区雷电特征初步分析

通过对2002年夏季青藏高原那曲地区雷暴过程及闪电观测资料的初步分析,发现该地区雷暴电荷结构具有多样性和复杂性,地闪明显偏少. 对高原地闪的一些基本特征参量的统计分析表明,无论正地闪还是负地闪梯级先导前都具有持续时间较长的云内放电过程,地闪以单次回击为主. 与中低纬度地区相比,高原地闪中正地闪比例明显要高,为33髎;负地闪为67髎;正、负地闪回击后常常伴随短时间的连续电流.     

Recent Results from Studies of Electric Discharges in the Mesosphere

The paper reviews recent advances in studies of electric discharges in the stratosphere and mesosphere above thunderstorms, and their effects on the atmosphere. The primary focus is on the sprite discharge occurring in the mesosphere, which is the most commonly observed high altitude discharge by imaging cameras from the ground, but effects on the upper atmosphere by electromagnetic radiation from lightning are also considered. During the past few years, co-ordinated observations over Southern Europe have been made of a wide range of parameters related to sprites and their causative thunderstorms. Observations have been complemented by the modelling of processes ranging from the electric discharge to perturbations of trace gas concentrations in the upper atmosphere. Observations point to significant energy deposition by sprites in the neutral atmosphere as observed by infrasound waves detected at up to 1000 km distance, whereas elves and lightning have been shown significantly to affect ionization and heating of the lower ionosphere/mesosphere. Studies of the thunderstorm systems powering high altitude discharges show the important role of intracloud (IC) lightning in sprite generation as seen by the first simultaneous observations of IC activity, sprite activity and broadband, electromagnetic radiation in the VLF range. Simulations of sprite ignition suggest that, under certain conditions, energetic electrons in the runaway regime are generated in streamer discharges. Such electrons may be the source of X- and Gamma-rays observed in lightning, thunderstorms and the so-called Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) observed from space over thunderstorm regions. Model estimates of sprite perturbations to the global atmospheric electric circuit, trace gas concentrations and atmospheric dynamics suggest significant local perturbations, and possibly significant meso-scale effects, but negligible global effects.     

Short-term ground ozone fluctuations at Poona

Short-term fluctuations superimposed on the diurnal variations of surface ozone recorded at Poona during 1969–1970 are discussed.While there is a net production of ozone during electrical discharges in a thunder cloud, the surface ozone recorder often registered a decrease in surface ozone concentration. This decrease coincided with updraughts generated during the formation of a thunderstorm. Similar sharp increases in ozone were observed with downdraughts. In cases of lightning without the development of a thunderstorm over the station, an increase in ozone density was observed just after the first lightning discharge.Apart from the fluctuations associated with thunderstorms in summer, sharp fluctuations in density were also noticed during winter, in the mornings. Abrupt falls in ozone occur with the formation of a stable layer near the ground at night and a sudden surge after the breaking up of the layers in the morning. The changes in ozone are, however, much more pronounced than those in temperature and wind and this striking correlation between surface ozone, surface air temperature and wind provides a unique tool for the study of low-level temperature inversions, their establishment and destruction.