Scientists say the more fine particles in the air, the more lightning strikes occur.
Human-induced changes to the natural environment not only create immediate effects but also lead to potential cascading consequences. For instance, air pollution is now closely linked to the increasing frequency of severe thunderstorms.
Researchers at James Madison University (JMU) in the United States studied data on lightning strikes over a 12-year period and found that the higher the concentration of fine particles in the air (aerosols), the greater the risk of lightning strikes.
On average, 60 lightning strikes occur every second worldwide (Photo: John Finney/Getty Images).
The relationship between aerosols and lightning has been studied for a long time; however, a comprehensive assessment has yet to be conducted due to the numerous atmospheric factors that influence this phenomenon.
The scientists at JMU indicate that pollution acts like cloud nuclei. When introduced into the cloud through an updraft, this airflow combines with a downdraft to separate the pollutant particles, which divides the electric charges within the clouds and results in more lightning strikes.
While having more particles generally leads to more lightning, when the concentration of particles in the air becomes excessively high, the frequency of strikes diminishes due to energy loss within the storm.
These scenarios involve many variables and influencing factors, ranging from air currents to land cover. No matter where you are in the world, urban pollution can significantly increase the number of lightning strikes.
The study also discovered that when the atmosphere has the highest energy levels due to factors such as temperature and humidity, air pollution has the greatest impact on the number of lightning strikes.
This enhances our understanding of how air pollution can continue to reshape meteorological patterns. Researchers plan to examine the relationship between air pollution and weather patterns in various locations worldwide, incorporating more measurement methods to more accurately determine the impact of aerosols.
In their research report, the scientists stated they would analyze environmental factors to identify differences between thunderstorms that occur in urban areas and those in larger regions, thereby providing a comprehensive assessment of the effects of pollution.
