Cities aggravate thunderstorms
Summer thunderstorms become much more fierce when
they collide with a city.
Summer thunderstorms become much more fierce
when they collide with a city than they would otherwise be in the open
countryside, according to research led by Alexandros A. Ntelekos and James A.
Smith based their conclusion on computer models and detailed observations of an
extreme thunderstorm that hit Baltimore in July of
2004.
Their modeling suggests that the city of Baltimore experienced about 30 percent more rainfall than the region it occupies would have experienced had there been no buildings where the city now sits.
Observational data shows that, during the 2004 storm, parts of Baltimore experienced as many lightning strikes in the space of two hours as they normally receive during the course of a year.
Exactly how does the urban environment alter the evolution of thunderstorms” The researchers described three mechanisms: Urban heat islands, Urban canopies, Urban aerosols.
As usual, I suggest reading through the whole article. The modeling is based on a “first”. Still, the results suggest that future applications of this work will lead to constructive and useful understanding.
Their modeling suggests that the city of Baltimore experienced about 30 percent more rainfall than the region it occupies would have experienced had there been no buildings where the city now sits.
Observational data shows that, during the 2004 storm, parts of Baltimore experienced as many lightning strikes in the space of two hours as they normally receive during the course of a year.
Exactly how does the urban environment alter the evolution of thunderstorms” The researchers described three mechanisms: Urban heat islands, Urban canopies, Urban aerosols.
As usual, I suggest reading through the whole article. The modeling is based on a “first”. Still, the results suggest that future applications of this work will lead to constructive and useful understanding.
Posted: Sat - August 11, 2007 at 07:53 AM