Electrodynamics of the atmosphere at the urban locations in Serbia

Electrical characteristics of the cloud-to-ground (CG) atmospheric discharge at the striking point and in its vicinity (flash density per square km, the current at the striking point, radiated lightning electromagnetic pulse (LEMP), the action integral, the total radiated energy etc.) are of the vital importance for electrical engineering practice, both in terms of electric power distribution and in terms of the protection against the interference of various modern electronic and telecommunication devices. In addition, when viewed from a broader perspective, the characteristics of CG atmospheric discharge can also be of the great importance for other branches of science, for example: the climatology, the hydrometeorology, the physics and the chemistry of the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere and the ionosphere. Modern research has shown that the atmospheric discharges are natural generators of NOx compounds which have a direct impact on the creation of ozone in the troposphere. Because of the increased air density of the lower atmosphere, ozone in the troposphere creates a strong greenhouse effect and thus directly affects the global warming. Studies show that most likely there is a positive feedback between the atmospheric discharges and the rising of the global temperatures on the Earth surface.