Fire-breathing Storm Systems

[Moontanman]

Fire-Breathing Storm Systems

 

Pyrocumulonimbus is the fire-breathing dragon of clouds.

 

 

 

A pyrocumulonimbus storm combines smoke and fire with the features of a violent thunderstorm. Pollutants from these storms are funneled into the stratosphere. (Credit: Naval Research Lab/Mike Fromm)

 

A cumulonimbus without the "pyre" part is imposing enough -- a massive, anvil-shaped tower of power reaching five miles (8 km) high, hurling thunderbolts, wind and rain.

 

Add smoke and fire to the mix and you have pyrocumulonimbus, an explosive storm cloud actually created by the smoke and heat from fire, and which can ravage tens of thousands of acres. And in the process, "pyroCb" storms funnel their smoke like a chimney into Earth's stratosphere, with lingering ill effects.

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101020095607.htm