The relationship between aerosol concentration and lightning is complex. Aerosols can act as cloud condensation nuclei, contributing to the formation of cloud droplets, cloud electrification and lightning, while high concentrations of aerosols can contribute to a decrease in lightning due to radiative effects. Meteorology plays a dominant role in lightning activity, distorting the effect of aerosols. More measurements, as presented here, are needed to establish the complex relationship between aerosols and lightning.

The Po Valley, a heavily industrialized region, was highly affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. The reduction of non-essential activities and mobility coincided with a significant drop in pollutant concentrations and lightning. We investigate the relationship between lightning, meteorology and aerosols. We find that the variation in lightning during the lockdown as compared to recent years cannot be fully attributed to meteorology. ~60 ± 10% of the observed decrease is attributed to meteorology, and ~40 ± 10% to the reduction in aerosol emissions.

气溶胶浓度与闪电之间的关系是复杂的。气溶胶可以充当云凝结核，有助于形成云滴、云带电和闪电，而高浓度的气溶胶可以由于辐射效应导致闪电减少。气象在闪电活动中起主导作用，扭曲了气溶胶的影响。需要更多的测量，如这里介绍的，来建立气溶胶和闪电之间的复杂关系。

波谷是一个高度工业化的地区，受到 COVID-19 封锁的严重影响。非必要活动和流动性的减少与污染物浓度和闪电的显着下降相吻合。我们研究闪电、气象和气溶胶之间的关系。我们发现，与近年来相比，封锁期间闪电的变化不能完全归因于气象。观测到的减少的约 60  ±  10% 归因于气象，约 40  ±  10%归因于气溶胶排放的减少。