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Fire induced thunderstorms?
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 2:57 pm
by Anonymous
I found this in the NWS Miami Discussion--looks like the wildfires are possibly providing boundaries for developing thunderstorms....
IN FACT, LOCAL GRASS FIRE
INDUCED A TSRA THAT MOVED W AND NOW SET OFF OUTFLOW WITH NEW
CONVECTION FORMING ALONG THIS BOUNDARY NEAR THE FIRE ITSELF.
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:40 pm
by Aslkahuna
Pyrocumulus from large western wildfires can often result in thunderstorms. Last year we saw a different happenstance where the convective plume from a wildfire entrained into an approaching thunderstorm enhancing it and resulting in stronger inflow into the storm making for a hotter and faster fire run. The storm then paid the fire back by cutting loose as a severe storm right over the fire and dumping about 2 inches of rain on it in about 30 minutes along with big hail and high winds effectively killing the fire.
Steve
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 4:12 pm
by wx247
That is very interesting. Thanks to both of you for that insight!!!
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 5:55 pm
by PTrackerLA
Sure is interesting, always wondered if wild fires could produce thunderstorms and obviously they can!
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 6:07 pm
by Aquawind
Were talking some massive areas of intense heat rising..no doubt interacting with the conditions..Volcanoes can produce a massive cloud with lightening no matter the local conditions.. When you get heat like that and ash rising some serious weather can happen.. Like 2 inches in 30 minutes...
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 6:33 pm
by azsnowman
PTrackerLA wrote:Sure is interesting, always wondered if wild fires could produce thunderstorms and obviously they can!
OH YES! Wildfires like we've had over the past 2 years have created Pyrocumulus clouds that tower over 30,000'. A wildfire itself produces it's OWN weather, a micro environment in itself....I've got some photos of the pyros of the Rodeo Chediski Complex Fire (489,000 acres)....THOSE pyros climbed to a height of 42,000'
they would build, colapse and push the fire even FURTHER!
Dennis
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 10:22 pm
by Aslkahuna
Oh Yes, a collapsing convective tower from a pyrocumulus can have the same effect as a collapsing tower on a thunderstorm-a very intense downburst which then energizes that portion of the fire it affects even more. Such collapses can lead to some spectacular fire runs and even strong fire whirls which are fire tornadoes. These runs and whirls are very dangerous and can result in firefighters being trapped. Windspeeds in these runs and whirls have been estimated as well into hurricane force and tornadic range based upon observations and post analysis of the fire behavior.
Steve