Thunderstorms Are More Frequent In Urbanized Areas

Urbanization may increase the number of thunderstorms, according to recent findings published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society.

"Urbanization has led to more thunderstorm initiation events than would have occurred over natural vegetation. These events, which are an illustration of anthropogenic climate change at the local scale, can produce a number of dangerous weather hazards including lightning, strong winds, hail, and flash floods, often with little or no warning," said Alex Haberlie, lead author of the study published in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, in a news release.

For the study, researchers used an automated technique and radar data to examine the locations of various thunderstorm initiations over a 17 year period in the southeast U.S.

Researchers found that close to 26,000 initiation points were detected with 85 warm-season months. They also made various comparisons between the Atlanta metropolitan region and surrounding rural areas. 

The study results showed how thunderstorm formation risk for Atlanta is typically greatest during the late afternoon and early evening in July and August. What's particularly disturbing is that increased aerosol levels seemed to play a role in the problem. Furthermore, thunderstorm initiation events were higher on the weekdays when compared with the weekends.

"City planners, meteorologists, and citizens who live in or near a large urban area should be aware of this increased risk," Harberlie concluded.