FMP COVID-19

The Netherlands is almost 3% sunnier during the corona crisis. The measured solar radiation between mid-March and mid-June was about 2.5 percent higher than the average over the same period of the past four years. Since covid-19, more solar radiation can reach the Earth's surface. This is evident from observations. (Only daytime data were used for these findings). Covid-19 and the measures taken has led to a decrease in air pollution over the Netherlands. Because no planes were flying, road traffic halved and factories produced less. The emissions from airplanes, cars and factories form so-called aerosols, particles that can block solar radiation. Changes over the longer periods (> 10 years) are usually attributed to aerosols. About 80% of the aerosols are emitted by humans. The positive thing about the Covid-19 virus is that it can help in obtaining experimental data to help confirming the research done on models.

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We just had a heat wave that broke the record of 6 tropical days in a row that was 120 years old. 2 days ago, when it looked like we were going to get rain and thunder, I saw these special clouds that I should not have seen before.

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Resource:

SIEBESMA, Pier and Marieke DIRKSEN. 2020. Nederland bijna 3% zonniger tijdens coronacrisis. Available at: https://www.knmi.nl/over-het-knmi/nieuws/nederland-zonniger-tijdens-coronacrisis. [accessed on 14 August 2020]