Pyrocumulonimbus cloud

• Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are thunder clouds formed by intense heat from wildfires or volcanic eruptions.
• They can reach heights of 50,000 feet, generate their own thunderstorms, and produce lightning, but little rain.
• Formation:
  • Intense heat from wildfires warms surrounding air, which rises, expands, and cools, forming a pyrocumulus cloud.
  • With enough water vapor and intense upward movement, these clouds can develop into pyrocumulonimbus clouds.
• Pyrocumulonimbus clouds can spark new wildfires far from the main blaze and trigger strong winds that spread fires quickly.
• Scientists believe climate change may contribute to the increase in pyrocumulonimbus clouds, as wildfires become more common and intense due to soaring global temperatures.
• In 2023, 140 pyrocumulonimbus clouds were recorded in Canada alone, exceeding the previous annual global average of 102.

Latest News

• 09 August 2024:
  • Wildfires in the United States and Canada have created ‘pyrocumulonimbus’ clouds, which can produce thunderstorms and ignite additional fires.