It is common for the weather to turn thundery during late August in the UK, as the heat from sultry summer days rises upwards, to build the classic towering cumulonimbus cloud. In the UK lightning strikes the ground around 300,000 times per year. Somewhere between 30 and 60 people are hit by lightning every year, and there are an average of three fatalities. Globally an estimated 24,000 people are killed by lightning every year, and 240,000 injured.
Currently weather forecasters detect thunderstorms from the radio signals produced by the lightning, but it is very hard to predict the region where lightning is likely to strike. Now a new electrical detection system, using distant static electricity, may warn where the strongest lightning could occur.
It works by seeking out thunderstorm 'halos' – high altitude pancake shaped electrical disturbances which accompany strong lightning flashes. These halos are too faint and short-lived to be seen with the naked eye, but scientists Alec Bennett and Giles Harrison have been detecting them with special electric sensors. Writing in the journal Physical Review Letters, they explain how the halos extend for several hundred kilometres, potentially providing a long range warning of the lightning hazard.
These elusive halos are still relatively new to science, but once Harrison and Bennett have gathered more information, their lightning detection method could save many lives worldwide.
Kate Ravilioustheguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 hours ago.
Currently weather forecasters detect thunderstorms from the radio signals produced by the lightning, but it is very hard to predict the region where lightning is likely to strike. Now a new electrical detection system, using distant static electricity, may warn where the strongest lightning could occur.
It works by seeking out thunderstorm 'halos' – high altitude pancake shaped electrical disturbances which accompany strong lightning flashes. These halos are too faint and short-lived to be seen with the naked eye, but scientists Alec Bennett and Giles Harrison have been detecting them with special electric sensors. Writing in the journal Physical Review Letters, they explain how the halos extend for several hundred kilometres, potentially providing a long range warning of the lightning hazard.
These elusive halos are still relatively new to science, but once Harrison and Bennett have gathered more information, their lightning detection method could save many lives worldwide.
Kate Ravilioustheguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 hours ago.