Car smoke increases thunder

Car smoke polluting the city is not only the cause of global warming, but it can also increase thunderstorms hundreds of kilometers away.

This conclusion was drawn after experts from the Hebrew University (Israel) analyzed lightning strikes that occurred across the United States in the past 10 years. This data is provided by the US National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). NLDN recorded thunder phenomenon in June, July and August every year.

Analysis results show that in the southeastern states of the United States, lightning events increase in proportion to air pollution, up to 25% on working days. The sweltering atmosphere in this area creates low flying clouds with lots of space, and generates the electricity needed for a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Surprisingly, in the heavily polluted big cities, thunder is not as much as the suburbs around those cities.

'It is a mistake to assume that you stay away from the city to avoid contamination. In fact, it follows you up to hundreds of kilometers , 'said Hebrew University expert Daniel Rosenfeld. He has just published research results at the meeting of the American Geophysical Association.