3 ms·
This is probably not the end of the world. For this particular event, we have the best lightning observability in human history right now. So it's likely that
by jrockway 5y ago
This is probably not the end of the world. For this particular event, we have the best lightning observability in human history right now. So it's likely that once-rare events become more common now that we are watching.
The space-based lightning detector (GLM) launched in 2016 (GOES-16), for example. Before that, we didn't have this kind of real-time lightning information.
(Random aside: you can look at the data here: https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/conus_band.php?sat=G16&band=EXTENT3&length=12&dim=1 https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/conus_band.php?sat=G16.... My favorite "was that thunder last night" answer.)
Climate change and supply change problems caused by the pandemic are both real things. It's likely that humanity can survive drought, record temperatures, large lightning storms, and baby formula shortage. I think it's funny that you specifically mention baby formula; humans can produce milk for their babies and if shit gets really bad, that will probably keep working.