Predischarges in nonuniform electric field stressed by lightning impulse voltagesin SF(sub)6-$N_2$mixtures are initiated by streamer coronas. Due to field ehnancement at a protrusion point of electrodes new ionization processes occur and a precursor, which leads to a first leader, is created. The leader proceeds step by step to the opposite electrode and the final jump bridges the test gap. It was found that the predischarge is propagated with a leader mechanism of stepwise expansion from the predischarge current waveforms measured by a shunt. The predischarge current is closely related to the amplitude and polarity of applied voltages, the gas pressure and the gap geometry. The time intervals between step leaders for the positive and negative polarities were inversely proportional to V.P$^2$. When the gas pressure increases in the positive polarity, statistical time lag to statistical time lag to streamer corona inception increase slightly, but the formative time lag to flashover is significantly decreased.