Natural Hazards: Lightning Strikes on the Rise
Warming Trends and Seasonal Blending
The Binary Solar System system may be behind the warming trends on Earth. Scientist are calling it Global Warming or Climate Change, we call it Blending of the Seasons. These warming trends will increase the chances of lightning strikes and Natural Hazard events. The Binary Solar System is also causing disturbances in Space Weather Events, Solar Activity, and Geomagnetic storms that increase lightning strikes and effect electrical systems on Earth and near Earth satellites.
Warming Trends Previously Discussed:
Climate in Transition, Blended Seasons, and Era of Global Boiling
Ancient Reports: Warming Oceans, Boiling Seas, Dry Waterways
Ancient Reports: Lightning and Electrical Events
Physics:
"Global warming could lead to increase in 'hot lightning' strikes causing more wildfires"
https://phys.org/news/2023-03-global-hot-lightning-wildfires.html
"A combined team of Earth scientists from multiple institutions has found evidence that suggests that in the coming years, a warming planet could lead to more "hot lightning" strikes that could cause more wildfires in many parts of the world. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes studying the types of lightning strikes that lead to wildfires and the likelihood of their increase as global warming progresses.
The work began with an analysis of satellite images of U.S. wildfires over the years 1992 to 2018. By studying the types of lightning strikes that occurred and comparing them with resulting wildfires, the team found that wildfires are more likely to start due to hot lightning strikes, which the group describes as strikes that last much longer than average. They found that approximately 90% of the fires they observed got their start this way. Such strikes can last from around 40 milliseconds to nearly a third of a second. Longer strike times transfer more heat to flammable material such as trees, shrubs and even grass."
Hot Lightning and Wildfire Increases:
"An incendiary form of lightning may surge under climate change"
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hot-lightning-strike-wildfire-spark-risk-climate-change
"Warming temperatures could drive up the rate of flashes, increasing the risk for more wildfires
An analysis of satellite data suggests “hot lightning” — strikes that channel electrical charge for an extended period — may be more likely to set landscapes ablaze than more ephemeral flashes, researchers report February 10 in Nature Communications. Each 1 degree Celsius of warming could spur a 10 percent increase in the most incendiary of these Promethean bolts, boosting their flash rate to about four times per second by 2090 — up from nearly three times per second in 2011."
Arctic Lightning Increases:
Historically, lightning in the Arctic was rare as the air lacks the convective heat needed to create lightning.
"‘Drastic’ rise in high Arctic lightning has scientists worried"
"The region’s air typically doesn’t suit strikes – so they have become an important climate crisis indicator."
Causes:
So What Could be the Cause of lightning in areas not prone to lightning formation or even typical thunderstorm activity?
Space Weather and Sun Activity:
"Evidence for solar wind modulation of lightning"
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/9/5/055004
"Activity on the Sun is sparking lightning strikes here on Earth, a study suggests."
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27406358
Sun activity:
"Scientists have found that when gusts of high-speed solar particles enter our atmosphere, the number of lightning bolts increases.
The arrival of these solar winds in the atmosphere can trigger displays of the Northern Lights, but this research shows how they could influence our weather too.
Because solar activity is closely monitored by satellites, it may now be possible to forecast when these hazardous storms will hit.
Lead researcher Dr Chris Scott, from the University of Reading, said: "Lightning represents a significant hazard.
There's something like 24,000 people struck by lightning each year, so having any understanding or advanced warning of the severity of lightning storms has to be useful."
"Previous research has shown that cosmic rays from space can boost the rate of lightning, and it had been thought that an increased shielding effect from the solar particles would cause a decrease in the number of strikes."
Cosmic Rays from Space:
"High-speed solar winds increase lightning strikes on Earth"
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140514205758.htm
"Scientists have discovered new evidence to suggest that lightning on Earth is triggered not only by cosmic rays from space, but also by energetic particles from the sun. Researchers found a link between increased thunderstorm activity on Earth and streams of high-energy particles accelerated by the solar wind, offering compelling evidence that particles from space help trigger lightning bolts."
Lightning Related Accidents and Deaths on the Rise:
"Are lightning deaths increasing?"
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26554974
"Lightning appears to be killing and injuring increasing numbers of people in developing countries, meteorologists and experts say.
The total casualties could even be higher than other weather-related disasters like floods, landslides and droughts."
Lightning Preparedness, Safety, and Health:
Lightning Safety Tips and Resources
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
Lightning Injuries:
Electrical Injuries:
Also called: Electric shock, Electrical burn
https://medlineplus.gov/electricalinjuries.html
Relevant Current Event:
"Sydney lightning strikes: four people ‘knocked unconscious’ and train network faces delays"
"About 75,000 lightning strikes were detected across the city and afternoon commuters facing delays with T1 Western and T9 Northern lines affected."
"Four people hit by lightning, houses set alight, flood rescues as powerful storm sweeps across Sydney"
"In short: The group of four people struck by lightning were under a tree seeking shelter from the Sydney storm.
All four were taken to hospital in a serious and stable condition, where they remain on Monday night.
Lightning also struck three houses, causing them to catch fire."
**********
No comments:
Post a Comment