Scientists fear surge in supersized bushfires that create their own violent thunderstorms

[Judi Lynn]

Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCB) storms are feared due to the violent and unpredictable conditions they create on the ground

Graham Readfearn

@readfearn
Thu 19 Dec 2019 12.00 ESTLast modified on Thu 19 Dec 2019 16.29 EST

Scientists fear climate change will drive a surge in the number of supersized and dangerous bushfires that become coupled with the atmosphere and create their own violent thunderstorms.

Guardian Australia can reveal 2019 is likely to be a “standout year” for the number of bushfires that generate giant thunderstorm clouds known as pyrocumulonimbus, or pyroCBs.

PyroCB storms are feared by firefighters for the violent and unpredictable conditions they create on the ground.

PyroCBs are able to generate their own lightning strikes, mass downdrafts of air, gusty winds and even hail blackened with soot. The plumes generated from pyroCBs can influence the atmosphere at heights of up to 15km.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/20/scientists-fear-surge-in-supersized-bushfires-that-create-their-own-violent-thunderstorms

[fleabiscuit]

1. Guess we better get to raking.