Ostankino TV Tower is the highest lightning rod in Moscow

15.07.2020
On July, 14, in Moscow was announced the orange level of weather hazard due to heavy rains, howling wind and thunderstorm. Capital was squeezed between two cyclones - Atlantic and Southern. At this time the Ostankino Tower became the highest lightning rod in Moscow, and at the same time it was a lightning source. At 19:04 thunderstorm warning system triggered. This was fixed in our operational documents. During the entire period of thunderstorms, the Ostankino Tower operated normally, there are no damage from lightning strikes.

Due to height of the Ostankino TV Tower (540 m), electric field intensity in the Tower's area is stronger than in the surroundings. It has been empirically determined more than 80% lightnings strike from the Tower to the athmosphere. The antenna part is a source of lightnings. The height of the TV Tower contributes to different lightning processes than other buildimgs. It doesn't happen with apartment houses. Electric field strength at the top of TV Tower contributes to the more frequent formation of lightnings and other electrical phenomena.

Direct lightning strikes into the Tower are possible along its entire height. You can see that in photos. For the Tower's supporting structures, lightning strikes do not represent a great danger, because the Tower has a powerful lightning protection system. Due to its operation, all stuff leave out balconies and protect themselves from lightning strikes. Every year in Moscow there are about 20-25 thunderstorms, in the Tower's area take place near 30-32. On average, there are observed 60-65 discharges to and from the Tower per year.