Sudden change in weather: "dry storm"

Intense thunderstorm activity was recorded today in Greece, which caused new outbreaks of fires. What is impressive is that in most cases it is a “dry storm”, i.e. thunderstorm activity in the country without rain.

More than 270 lightning strikes per hour caused fires in six places of Vari, Vula, Koropi. In addition, intense thunderstorm activity was recorded (shortly before 12 noon) in Attica, as well as between Andros and South Evia, as shown on the weather map below.

See real time weather forecast: https://www.meteo.gr/thunders.cfm

In Attica, thunderstorms have been observed since dawn, mainly in the southern parts of the region. Celestial electrical discharges caused six new outbreaks in forests – in Vari, Vula, Koropi, as well as in hard-to-reach areas in the Varnava region. The fires were immediately brought under control by the fire department, and this helped them to be dealt with in a short time.

According to the mayor of Vari-Voula-Voulagmeni, Grigoris Constantellos, “it was not a lightning strike that occurred in the district, but a whole hour-long concert of dancing lightning. From 5:30 to 6:30 in the morning, as many as 270 of them were recorded! ”, He noted and indicated that six fires broke out in open areas around the city.

In these areas, thunderstorm activity was not accompanied by rain. The phenomenon of lightning without the presence of precipitation (rain, hail, snow) is called a dry storm. These thunderstorms occur in areas where atmosphere is low in moisturecausing the rain from the clouds to evaporate before reaching the ground. Lightning from dry thunderstorms often causes wildfires, weather service warns.

Lightning can be deadly. About 20% of the victims die from the celestial electrical discharge, and about 70% of the survivors have serious long-term health problems.

Source link