Comparison of dynamics of convective systems and lightning activity over territories with different aerosol load

In this paper, we compared lightning activity over territories with different aerosol loads on the example of a megacity (Moscow), a metropolis (Nizhny Novgorod) and a sparsely populated area without large cities, but exposed to forest fires (central Siberia). The general patterns of thunderstorms during convective seasons, as well as the characteristic features of thunderstorms in each of the territories under consideration, are revealed. The analysis of the results of modeling the distributions of the electric potential for thunderstorms in the territories under consideration was carried out, which made it possible to identify differences in the electric parameters of thunderclouds for territories with different aerosol loads, which directly affect the occurrence of the electric discharges and lightning activity.