In a paper that NASA researchers are giving at this week’s American Geophysical Union meeting, they describe a “weekend effect” that correlates rising pollution toward the middle of the week with more lightning strikes that taper off toward the weekend when pollution levels are lowest. The study of the Southeastern United States also suggests that rainfall and storms are directly tied to the level of airborne pollution and human activity. The research also indicates a rise in rainfall over the ocean during weekends.

The direct correlation of environment and weather changes due to pollution and human activities is striking, particularly because the activity isn’t confined to just urban areas where pollution levels are at their highest. These findings could have far-reaching implications, particularly when coupled with studies of drought and the implications of climate change.

Read more about this research in this story in Discovery News.

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