Dry Thunderstorms

Pyrocumulus Cloud.
Courtesy: US National Interagency Fire Center

When such storms arise rapidly, firefighters term it a blow up, a very dangerous situation to firefighters and property owners alike. Pyro-thunderstorms can drastically change conditions facing firefighters, including the ignition of additional fires from its lightning. Thus, pyro-thunderstorms are feared because of the rapid changes they can make to the nature of the fire and the direction of the fire's movement. Inflow and outflow winds associated with the storms add oxygen to the mix and can suddenly push the flames in a different direction causing them to jump ahead as burning embers are carried to regions not currently burning. Such conditions can trap firefighters and is a prime cause of death and injury among the firefighters. (For more on fire weather, see my article Fire Weather.)

Away from dry forests in agricultural lands, dry thunderstorms popping up during drought or dry times are a tease to farmers and others dependent on rains. Many a hope of rain has been raised by distant flashes and rumbles, but in passing, only the sound and the fury arrive and none of the expected rainfall.

Copyright 2004, Keith C. Heidorn, All Rights Reserved. (Illustrations, unless otherwise specified, ©Keith C. Heidorn, All Rights Reserved.)

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