Impact of various sources of disturbances on the atmospheric electric field and the lower ionosphere

Results of studying the impact of solar activity on variations in the atmospheric electric field, thunderstorm activity and the lower ionosphere, obtained at the Tien- Shan high-mountain experimental complex (height 3340 m) and the Alma-Ata ionospheric station [43.25N, 76.92E]) in 2005-2015 are presented in this work. It has been established that a decrease in the intensity of galactic cosmic rays at low magnetic activity lowers the average level of the electric field by 40÷60 V/m. Large magnetic storms affect the average level of the electric field, and also cause its fluctuations in the minute range (10^-3 ÷10^-1) Hz. Tendency has been established for the appearance of thunderstorm activity with a delay of 1-2 days or more after the impact on the Earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere of geoeffective coronal mass ejections (CME), high-speed solar wind streams (HSS). Noticeable changes in the state of the lower ionosphere and geomagnetic field (fmin and Dst) are observed during these periods. Cases of increasing fmin values and critical frequencies of the sporadic Es layer were recorded under conditions of low geomagnetic activity during thunderstorms with powerful positive discharges or in combination with negative discharges. Long-term anomalous changes in the electric field are observed on the eve of and during significant earthquakes with a magnitude of more than 5.0, as well as before weak earthquakes, but with epicenters located in the immediate vicinity of the electric field detector.