Abstract
The distribution of lightning around the planet is directly linked to the Earth's climate, which is driven by solar insolation. The diurnal and seasonal heating of the continental landmasses results in large fluctuations in temperature, influencing atmospheric stability, and the development of thunderstorms. Lightning activity is positively correlated with surface temperatures on short time scales, and due to projections of a warmer climate in the future, one of the key questions is related to the impact of future global warming on lightning, thunderstorms, and other severe weather. Lightning itself is also linked to variations in upper tropospheric water vapour, and tropospheric ozone, both of which are strong greenhouse gases. Climate model studies show that in a future warmer climate we may have less thunderstorms overall, but more intense thunderstorms, which may increase the amount of lightning by 10% for every one degree global warming.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Lightning |
| Subtitle of host publication | Principles, Instruments and Applications: Review of Modern Lightning Research |
| Publisher | Springer Netherlands |
| Pages | 521-535 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781402090783 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- Climate
- Climate change
- ENSO
- General circulation
- Global climate
- Global warming
- Lightning
- Thunderstorms
