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What impact do high-speed solar winds have on lightning frequency on Earth?

OpenAI's Answer

High-speed solar winds have been linked to an increase in lightning frequency on Earth. Research suggests that lightning is more frequent when solar winds are particularly intense. Here's a summary of the findings:

  1. Increase in Lightning Strikes: Studies have shown that there is an average increase in lightning strikes in the 40 days following the arrival of high-speed solar-wind streams at Earth. An average of 422 lightning bolts per day was observed during this period.

  2. Timing of Peak Lightning: The peak in lightning activity typically occurs 12 to 18 days after the arrival of the solar winds.

  3. Possible Mechanism: The intense solar wind streams might influence the Earth's atmosphere, potentially triggering more lightning due to the high-energy particles.

For further details, you can check out the articles on ScienceDaily and Scientific American.

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