How Air Pollution Is Making Southeast Asia’s Storms Stronger

Air pollution in Southeast Asia isn’t just a threat to human health — it may also be fueling stronger and more frequent storms, according to new research led by Professor Steve Yim, Head of the NTU Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Health.

🔍 Pollution and Storm Intensity: The Connection

The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters on October 3, analyzed 10 years of satellite and weather data across Southeast Asia. It found that powerful storms are becoming more frequent and intense, particularly in maritime areas such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

By studying the size and concentration of raindrops, researchers discovered that raindrops in polluted regions were up to 1.8 times larger than those formed in cleaner air. This suggests that pollutants, especially particles from forest fires, urban emissions, and fossil fuel combustion, can significantly alter how storms develop.

☁️ When Polluted Air Supercharges Storms🌪️

The study revealed that storms in polluted conditions produce up to 50% more rainfall than those in cleaner environments. This happens because tiny pollutant particles, known as aerosols, act as “seeds” for cloud formation. When there are more aerosols, more clouds form — but each one is smaller and less likely to rain immediately.

These small clouds last longer, allowing them to grow and eventually release heavier, more intense rainfall. The result: storms that are not only stronger but also cover wider areas.

⚡ More Pollution, More Lightning

Pollution doesn’t just increase rainfall — it also makes tropical storms more dangerous by intensifying lightning activity. According to the study, storms that form in polluted air can trigger up to 27% more lightning strikes.

Smaller clouds rise to higher, colder altitudes, where the moisture inside freezes into ice crystals. The collisions between these crystals generate the electrical charges that lead to lightning. Singapore, which already experiences one of the highest lightning rates globally (about 167 thunderstorm days per year), may face even greater risks if pollution levels rise.

🌍 A Double Threat: Climate Change and Air Pollution

Professor Yim emphasized that Southeast Asia faces a “double whammy”: climate change and air pollution working together to intensify weather extremes. While climate change warms oceans and adds moisture to the atmosphere, creating ideal storm conditions, air pollution amplifies those effects by adding more condensation particles to the air

This combination makes the region more vulnerable to severe storms, flooding, and related health risks, including the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, as stagnant water from heavy rainfall creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

🧠 A Step Toward Smarter Forecasting

The findings may also improve storm and rainfall forecasting. Current weather models, particularly in Singapore, are good at tracking storms from distant sources like Sumatra but struggle with local storms triggered by internal circulation patterns.

Professor Yim’s team is now developing artificial intelligence (AI) models that incorporate aerosol data to make forecasts more accurate. This could help communities better prepare for heavy rainfall and protect property and public safety.

The study underscores that air quality and climate resilience are deeply connected. Reducing pollution from biomass burning, vehicles, and fossil fuels is not just about cleaner air — it’s also a crucial step toward reducing extreme weather risks in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

Source: Air pollution fuels stronger storms in Southeast Asia | The Straits Times