Effect of variations in the Earth’s electrical field caused by weather conditions on neutron monitoring

Variations in cosmic rays are investigated on the basis of the Tien Shan neutron monitor data. The Earth’s electrical field during snowfall, rain, and thunderstorm activity is considered as a modulating factor. It is established that the effect of the electrical field on the monitor data becomes apparent at values exceeding 15–20 kV m −1 in the atmosphere of a thunderstorm. The response is as high as 1.5% for recorded particles with energies lower than 10 GeV.