Modulation of UK lightning by heliospheric magnetic field polarity

M. J. Owens; C. J. Scott; M. Lockwood; Luke Barnard; R. G. Harrison; K. Nicoll; C. Watt; A. J. Bennett

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/9/11/115009

Modulation of UK lightning by heliospheric magnetic field polarity

M. J. Owens, C. J. Scott, M. Lockwood, Luke Barnard, R. G. Harrison, K. Nicoll, C. Watt, A. J. Bennett

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Abstract

Observational studies have reported solar magnetic modulation of terrestrial lightning on a range of time scales, from days to decades. The proposed mechanism is two-step: lightning rates vary with galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux incident on Earth, either via changes in atmospheric conductivity and/or direct triggering of lightning. GCR flux is, in turn, primarily controlled by the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF) intensity. Consequently, global changes in lightning rates are expected. This study instead considers HMF polarity, which doesn?t greatly affect total GCR flux. Opposing HMF polarities are, however, associated with a 40?60 this perturbs local ionospheric potential at high latitudes and local exposure to energetic charged particles from the magnetosphere. We speculate as to the mechanism(s) by which this may, in turn, redistribute the global location and/or intensity of thunderstorm activity.

Original language	English
Journal	Environmental Research Letters
Volume	9
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/9/11/115009
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2014

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Owens_2014_Environ._Res._Lett._9_115009Final published version, 817 KBLicence: CC BY

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title = "Modulation of UK lightning by heliospheric magnetic field polarity",

abstract = "Observational studies have reported solar magnetic modulation of terrestrial lightning on a range of time scales, from days to decades. The proposed mechanism is two-step: lightning rates vary with galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux incident on Earth, either via changes in atmospheric conductivity and/or direct triggering of lightning. GCR flux is, in turn, primarily controlled by the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF) intensity. Consequently, global changes in lightning rates are expected. This study instead considers HMF polarity, which doesn?t greatly affect total GCR flux. Opposing HMF polarities are, however, associated with a 40?60 this perturbs local ionospheric potential at high latitudes and local exposure to energetic charged particles from the magnetosphere. We speculate as to the mechanism(s) by which this may, in turn, redistribute the global location and/or intensity of thunderstorm activity.",

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T1 - Modulation of UK lightning by heliospheric magnetic field polarity

AU - Owens, M. J.

AU - Scott, C. J.

AU - Lockwood, M.

AU - Barnard, Luke

AU - Harrison, R. G.

AU - Nicoll, K.

AU - Watt, C.

AU - Bennett, A. J.

PY - 2014/11/1

Y1 - 2014/11/1

N2 - Observational studies have reported solar magnetic modulation of terrestrial lightning on a range of time scales, from days to decades. The proposed mechanism is two-step: lightning rates vary with galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux incident on Earth, either via changes in atmospheric conductivity and/or direct triggering of lightning. GCR flux is, in turn, primarily controlled by the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF) intensity. Consequently, global changes in lightning rates are expected. This study instead considers HMF polarity, which doesn?t greatly affect total GCR flux. Opposing HMF polarities are, however, associated with a 40?60 this perturbs local ionospheric potential at high latitudes and local exposure to energetic charged particles from the magnetosphere. We speculate as to the mechanism(s) by which this may, in turn, redistribute the global location and/or intensity of thunderstorm activity.

AB - Observational studies have reported solar magnetic modulation of terrestrial lightning on a range of time scales, from days to decades. The proposed mechanism is two-step: lightning rates vary with galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux incident on Earth, either via changes in atmospheric conductivity and/or direct triggering of lightning. GCR flux is, in turn, primarily controlled by the heliospheric magnetic field (HMF) intensity. Consequently, global changes in lightning rates are expected. This study instead considers HMF polarity, which doesn?t greatly affect total GCR flux. Opposing HMF polarities are, however, associated with a 40?60 this perturbs local ionospheric potential at high latitudes and local exposure to energetic charged particles from the magnetosphere. We speculate as to the mechanism(s) by which this may, in turn, redistribute the global location and/or intensity of thunderstorm activity.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84919615170

U2 - 10.1088/1748-9326/9/11/115009

DO - 10.1088/1748-9326/9/11/115009

M3 - Article

SN - 1748-9326

VL - 9

JO - Environmental Research Letters

JF - Environmental Research Letters

IS - 11

ER -

Modulation of UK lightning by heliospheric magnetic field polarity

Abstract

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