Electric field measurements at ground level as a basis for lightning hazard warning

Fair weather electric fields are disturbed when a thundercloud is present. The evolution of electrification before first lightning strike gives one enough time to act against possible lightning damage. Surface irregularities and nearby objects disturb the atmospheric electric field, so each place has a particular behaviour when evaluating the risk of lightning discharge. This paper presents a study of the application of the electric field measurement at ground level as a basis for lightning hazard warning and presents a methodology to evaluate every particular situation.