Skip to main content

Atmospheric electric fields may offer a breakthrough in predicting extreme weather, according to new research led by Dr. Roy Yaniv from the Institute of Earth Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Sheba Medical Center.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Assaf Hochman from The Hebrew University and Prof. Yoav Yair from Reichmann University, provides compelling evidence that monitoring electric field changes can enhance weather forecasting, especially in regions prone to sudden shifts in weather patterns, like Israel’s Negev Desert.

el field res
A rain event on 5 January 2018 linked with a deep Cyprus Low (A). Deep convective clouds over Israel during midday (B). Credit: Roy Yaniv, Yoav Yair, Assaf Hochman (2024) | DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107757 | Atmospheric Research

The research focuses on low-pressure winter systems, known as “Cyprus Lows,” which bring moisture-laden air to southern Israel, causing heavy precipitation. By analyzing electric field data, researchers observed that certain weather patterns produce unique electric field signatures.

Specifically, as convective clouds pass over, the electric Potential Gradient – a measure of electric field intensity – spikes sharply from fair-weather levels (100-200 volts per meter) to several thousand volts per meter. This sudden increase, the team found, is often linked to approaching rainfall, offering valuable “nowcasting” insights, which can give near real-time warnings of severe weather.

“The ability to identify these changes early is especially crucial in vulnerable regions like Israel, where even minor shifts in climate conditions can lead to major local impacts,” said Dr. Yaniv. “This research demonstrates how electric field variations can serve as indicators of shifting weather patterns, allowing us to anticipate severe weather events in real-time.”

The study’s minute-by-minute data also highlighted that factors beyond rain intensity, such as cloud structure and the electrical charge of rain droplets, play a role in these electric fluctuations. These findings suggest that electric field measurements could serve as an early warning system, particularly beneficial in areas where rapid changes in weather can lead to flash floods or other hazardous conditions.

As global climate patterns continue to shift, the inclusion of electric field monitoring in weather prediction could be particularly useful in arid and semi-arid regions, where small climate variations often result in significant environmental impacts.

Journal Reference:
Roy Yaniv, Yoav Yair, Assaf Hochman, ‘Understanding heavy precipitation events in southern Israel through atmospheric electric field observations’, Atmospheric Research 313, 107757 (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107757

Article Source:
Press Release/Material by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Featured image credit: Gabriel Mihalcea | Pexels

Hurricanes and climate change: A wake-up call ahead of COP29
Satellite image of Hurricane Irene
Hurricanes and climate change: A wake-up call ahead of COP29Climate

Hurricanes and climate change: A wake-up call ahead of COP29

Warmer ocean temperatures and shifting weather patterns can lead to more severe damage from tropical storms. By Liz Ritchie-Tyo | Monash University in Melbourne As…
SourceSourceOctober 28, 2024 Full article
Extreme heat associated with children’s asthma hospital visits
A boy tired out after practice wipes his sweaty head (s. asthma, extreme heat, climate)
Extreme heat associated with children’s asthma hospital visitsClimate

Extreme heat associated with children’s asthma hospital visits

Daytime heat waves were significantly associated with 19 percent higher odds of children’s asthma hospital visits. For children seeking care at a California urban pediatric…
SourceSourceMay 20, 2024 Full article
Scientists struggle to explain record surge in global heat
Image: Elder woman struggling with high temperature
Scientists struggle to explain record surge in global heatClimate

Scientists struggle to explain record surge in global heat

The world has been getting hotter for decades but a sudden and extraordinary surge in heat has sent the climate deeper into uncharted territory --…
SourceSourceDecember 21, 2024 Full article