#4 Postby Aslkahuna » Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:59 pm
Not saying that this is the case here, but pyrocumulus from large fires have been known to generate thunderstorms which can be accompanied by rain (which usually evaporates due to the heat of the fire), and strong downburst winds when the convective towers collapse-on occasion such storms have even developed tornadic structure. In 2003, we had interaction between the convective plume of a large fire and an existing thunderstorm which resulted in a very violent storm (which ironically put out the fire). Down burst winds from pyrocumulus during the Aspen fire in 2003 near Tucson made for a very dangerous and tricky fire control problem. That is one impressive pyrocumulus and definitely shows evidence of a meso in it. It would have developed with the updrafts from the fire gaining rotation from the windfield of the fire and then being entrained into the pyrocumulus developed by the fire.
Steve
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