This is Weird but...COVID Decreased Lightning Strikes

TL;DR

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the environment, including a decrease in lightning strikes due to improved air quality.

Transcript

Thanks to Linode Cloud Computing for  supporting this episode of SciShow. You can go to linode.com/scishow  to learn more and get a $100 60-day credit on a new Linode account. [♪ INTRO] No one can argue that the COVID-19  pandemic hasn’t been extremely disruptive to our way of life. But the pandemic hasn’t just affected us. It’s also affected the e... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Increased demand for masks and gloves during the pandemic has resulted in a significant amount of waste from single-use plastics.
• 🥺 The decrease in commuting due to the pandemic has led to a dip in emissions and improved air quality.
• 👱 Improved air quality during the pandemic has been linked to a decrease in lightning strikes over certain regions.
• 🖐️ Aerosols in the atmosphere play a crucial role in the formation of rainclouds and lightning.
• ⛈️ The level of aerosols in the atmosphere determines whether water will fall back down as rain or contribute to lightning strikes.
• ⚓ Aerosols released by volcanic plumes and cargo ship exhaust have been found to increase lightning strikes.
• 🏝️ Studying lightning strikes over the ocean is easier than over land due to fewer variables affecting the weather.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the environment?

The pandemic has resulted in increased waste from single-use plastics, while reduced commuting has led to a decrease in emissions.

Q: Why did the number of lightning strikes decrease during the pandemic?

Improved air quality during the pandemic led to a decrease in lightning strikes, as aerosols in the atmosphere have a direct effect on their occurrence.

Q: How do aerosols in the atmosphere influence the formation of rainclouds?

Aerosols provide a surface for water vapor to condense around, forming water drops that further contribute to cloud formation.

Q: How do aerosols contribute to the generation of lightning?

More aerosols in the atmosphere result in smaller water droplets, which combined with ice crystals, create conditions favorable for lightning.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased waste from single-use plastics, but it has also led to a decrease in emissions due to reduced commuting.

• The improved air quality during the pandemic has contributed to a decrease in lightning strikes over certain parts of the world.

• Aerosols in the atmosphere play a significant role in the formation of rainclouds and lightning, with more aerosols leading to more lightning strikes.