Weather Extremes Induced by Large Pyrocumulonimbus Smoke Events

Abstract

Towering thunderstorms triggered by intense wildfires (known as pyrocumulonimbus or pyroCb) act as giant chimneys, injecting large quantities of smoke particles high into the atmosphere every year. These smoke particles absorb solar radiation, thereby altering temperature, vertical motion, and horizontal circulation. Here, we examine if the heating perturbation induced by large smoke plumes in the lower stratosphere significantly influences dynamic circulation in the atmosphere, including the slow movement and destructive impact of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 09, 2020
Accession Number
AD1117471

Entities

People

  • David J. Peterson
  • Ming Liu
  • Peng Xian

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Combustion
  • Couplings
  • Dynamics
  • Fires
  • High Altitude
  • Marine Meteorology
  • Meteorology
  • Military Research
  • North America
  • Particles
  • Perturbations
  • Physics
  • Radiation
  • Solar Radiation
  • Stratosphere
  • Thunderstorms
  • Transport Ships
  • Wildfires

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Space