Scientists have established a link between increased thunderstorms on Earth and high-energy particles accelerated by the solar wind. A study helped the researchers establish the link that indicates boost in lightning bolts because of the particles from space. The study will open doors for researchers to figure out ways that can predict the severity of hazardous weather events in advance.

The researchers observed that the arrival of high speed solar winds increased lightening rates across Europe for up to 40 days. The solar winds were capable of travelling into the earth's atmosphere at more than a million miles per hour. However, researchers have not been able to ascertain the precise reason behind these changes.

Due to collision of the incoming charged particles from the solar wind with the atmosphere, alterations can be caused in the electrical properties of the air. The researchers recorded an average of 422 lightning strikes across the UK after the arrival of a solar wing in the following 40 days. In the 40 days prior to the arrival of the solar wind, they recorded an average of 321 lightning strikes. They highlighted that the rate of lightning strikes was the highest between 12 and 18 days after the arrival of the solar wind.

Weather forecasters may look at these findings more seriously because these solar wind streams are known to rotate with the sun. Also, the streams sweep past the Earth at regular intervals and accelerate particles into Earth's atmosphere.

"Our main result is that we have found evidence that high-speed solar wind streams can increase lightning rates. This may be an actual increase in lightning or an increase in the magnitude of lightning, lifting it above the detection threshold of measurement instruments", said lead author Chris Scott from the University of Reading in a statement.