Jing Sun

This study employed numerical simulations to explore the impact of varying ice nucleation processes on the microphysics and electrification within thunderstorm clouds. A two-dimensional cumulus model, incorporating both non-inductive and inductive charge separation schemes, was utilized. The findings revealed that the freezing nucleation mechanism significantly influenced the microphysical development, electrification, and charge structure of thunderstorms. Homogeneous freezing generated a large quantity of small ice crystals near the cloud tops, which were primarily responsible for the development of positive charge regions through a non-inductive charging process. Conversely, heterogeneous freezing resulted in larger ice crystals, enhancing graupel formation and leading to a more rapid and intense charge separation rate of around −15°C. Ice crystals formed heterogeneously and charged negatively during the development stage, resulting in an inverted dipole charge structure. When both immersion and homogeneous freezing processes were considered, the competition between these two distinct freezing processes resulted in reduced cloud water content and weaker electrification. Under conditions of low cloud water content at lower storm levels, graupel particles were negatively charged through non-inductive charging, causing the charge structure to quickly revert to a normal dipole structure.