Continuing current in multiple channel cloud-to-ground lightning

In this study we analyze the effects of continuing current initiated by strokes following a new channel to ground in multiple stroke flashes using high-speed video records, electric field measurements from a fast antenna and lightning detection network data. We observed that the long continuing current initiated by a stroke that follows a new channel also obeys the pattern in the initiation of long continuing current suggested by Rakov and Uman [Rakov, V.A., Uman, M.A., 2003. Lightning: Physics and Effects, 687pp., Cambridge Univ. Press, New York.]. We also verify that the statement of Rakov and Uman [Rakov, VA. and Uman, MA., 1990. Some properties of negative cloud-to-ground lightning flashes versus stroke order, Journal of Geophysical Research. 95, 5447-5453.] reporting that: "...strokes initiating long continuing currents tend to have lower initial electric field peak than regular strokes" is valid for strokes that create a newchannel to ground and are followed by long continuing current (CC). Apparently the reduction of peak current value (I-p) when the stroke is followed by a long CC is stronger than the I-p increase that is commonly observed when strokes follow a new channel. We also find that the "exclusion zone" proposed by Saba et al. [Saba, M.M.F, Pinto, O. Jr., Ballarotti, M.G., 2006a. Relation between lightning return stroke peak current and following continuing current, Geophysical Research Letters 33, L23807, doi:101029/2006GL027455.] is valid for new channels initiating CC, and finally we verify that a number of strokes in the same channel larger than four or the existence of a long CC current do not always consolidate the channel in a multiple stroke flash. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.