PYROCUMULONIMBUS’ CLOUDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The wildfires currently raging in the United States and Canada are so intense that they have created 'pyrocumulonimbus' clouds, which can produce thunder and ignite additional fires.

Pyrocumulonimbus’ Clouds

• About: These are thunder clouds created by intense heat from the Earth's surface, primarily due to large wildfires or volcanic eruptions. 
• Meaning: The prefix 'pyro' is used, meaning fire in Greek.
• Evolution: If there is sufficient water vapor and the upward movement of hot air intensifies, pyrocumulus clouds can evolve into pyrocumulonimbus clouds.
• Formation: They are formed similarly to cumulonimbus clouds, but the intense heat that results in the vigorous updraft comes from fire, either large wildfires or volcanic eruptions.

o Not every wildfire leads to the creation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds; they occur only when there is an extremely hot wildfire or volcanic eruption.

• Example: During the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, temperatures crossed 800 degrees Celsius, leading to the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds.
• Impact of Rising Temperatures: Studies suggest that with global temperatures soaring, wildfires are becoming more common and intense, potentially increasing the occurrence of pyrocumulonimbus clouds.
• Impact: Pyrocumulonimbus clouds are thought to be responsible for several aerosol pollutants, such as smoke and ash, being trapped in the stratosphere and upper atmosphere.