Multitechnique studies of nor'wester using electrical and meteorological parameters

Abstract. Radar observations of nor'wester (premonsoon thunderstorm) as experienced over the Gangetic West Bengal and the integrated field intensity of atmospherics (IFIA) at 10, 20 and 30 kHz recorded over the tropical station at Calcutta have been analysed. The records of IFIA reveal that, during nor'wester, the enhancement in the signal level occurs in three different stages: (i) gradual rise of atmospherics (GRA), (ii) first sudden enhancement of atmospherics (SEA₁) and (iii) second sudden enhancement of atmospherics (SEA₂). Their respective occurrences have been found to be prevalent in pre-noon, latenoon and afternoon hours of a day. Of the three stages, GRA and SEA₁ have been found to occur before the onset of thunderstorm, while SEA₂ may even occur after its onset. A comparative study reveals that the precipitation during premonsoon thunderstorms is associated with the second sudden enhancement, while it is associated with the steady recovery of IFIA during the monsoon and postmonsoon thunderstorms. The characteristics of the first nor'wester of every year have been critically examined with an additional consideration of simultaneous radiosonde records. A probable explanation has been made in terms of the distribution of the effective sources at such times around the observing site.