Evolution of Thunderstorm Charge Structure Revealed by Particle Composition and Near-Surface Electric Field

Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements (TGEs) provide a direct particle-physics diagnostic of accelerating electric fields within thunderclouds.

During 12 15 May 2026, Aragats detectors recorded a compact sequence of TGEs under closely related meteorological and electric field conditions.

Ten statistically resolved TGEs were selected for quantitative analysis using STAND3 and SEVAN Light gamma and electron proxy channels.

The events were classified into negative (N), transition/disturbed negative (TD N), and positive (P) states based on the stability of the near surface electric field (NSEF).

The results show that TGEs occur during both comparatively stable and rapidly evolving charge states.

Stable negative events correspond to sustained exposure of the Main Negative (MN) charge region, whereas positive and TD N events reflect Lower Positive Charge Region (LPCR) screening and rapid restructuring of the lower thundercloud dipole during End Of Storm Oscillation (EOSO) like evolution.

The analysis demonstrates that the electron/gamma composition depends primarily on the persistence and geometry of the lower accelerating field structure rather than solely on the instantaneous sign or magnitude of the NSEF.

Rapid electric field impulses, frequently associated with nearby lightning activity, mark active restructuring of the lower dipole and strongly influence electron transport to the detector level.

All analyzed events occurred during persistent low cloud base conditions favorable for electron TGEs at Aragats.