Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The effect of anthropogenic aerosols on lightning is one of the least understood aspects of human‐induced climate change. Global aerosol clearly diminished during the COVID pandemic by 7.6%. A pronounced decrease in global lightning activity in the range 3.0%–5.8% is identified from various detection systems during this natural experiment. The Maritime Continent lightning chimney shows the largest reduction of 7.0% in aerosol accompanied by a lightning drop of 15%. The COVID period in 2020 also experiences a transition from pre‐COVID El Niño to a strong and sustained La Niña. Compensation for ENSO forcing of lightning activity is implemented to disclose the distinct responses of three global lightning chimneys to competing thermodynamic and aerosol effects. Our observational findings indicate a marked influence of aerosol on a global scale by virtue of the extraordinary COVID‐induced aerosol alteration.
DOI: 10.1029/2024jd042319
Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tripura University, HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Anhembi Morumbi University, California State University, San Marcos, Vaisala (United States), University of Washington, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Marshall Space Flight Center
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
Funder: National Science Foundation
Award: G6303617709
OpenAlex ID: W4409873202