Introduction to Firenados
A wildfire in Southwest Miami-Dade closed roads and snarled traffic to the Florida Keys starting on Tuesday, and it also displayed a lesser-seen phenomenon caught on NBC6 cameras: a fire tornado.
A fire tornado or a “firenado” can form within wildfires when the flames heat up the air, causing the surrounding air and smoke to rise very rapidly.
Formation of Firenados
This fire-made rising wind, in addition to the natural fanning breeze, can create vorticities that spin the smoke or flames into a twister. They are usually very brief and weak. Tornadoes are classified by a rotating column of air that reaches down from the cloud to the ground. In the case of a fire tornado, it’s a rotating column of air that is working from the ground up.
Characteristics of Firenados
In the video we captured from Chopper6, the smoke is rotating into more of a “smokenado,” as the fire isn’t large enough to stretch up the entire column–which can happen when flames are fierce. The stronger the wind, the more likely a small firewhirl can intensify into a firenado.
Relationship Between Wildfires and Severe Weather
Additionally, the more intense wildfires can actually create severe thunderstorms and tornadoes! Pyrocumulus clouds can develop as the very hot air from a fire creates strong updrafts which then cools and condenses on the fire particles in the atmosphere. According to NOAA, we saw this in 2018 in Redding, California, when a wildfire created a supercell, rotating thunderstorm that developed a strong tornado causing EF-3 damage.
Rare Cases of Firenados
In that case, fire was wrapped in the low levels of the tornado. This is exceptionally rare and very different than the firewhirl or firenado we saw in Southwest Miami-Dade.
Conclusion
Firenados are rare and fascinating phenomena that can occur during intense wildfires. While they are usually brief and weak, they can intensify into more severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and tornadoes. Understanding the formation and characteristics of firenados is crucial for predicting and preparing for severe weather events.
FAQs
- Q: What is a firenado?
A: A firenado, or fire tornado, is a rotating column of air that forms during a wildfire when the flames heat up the air, causing the surrounding air and smoke to rise rapidly. - Q: Are firenados common?
A: No, firenados are relatively rare and usually brief and weak. - Q: Can firenados intensify into more severe weather conditions?
A: Yes, firenados can intensify into more severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, especially during intense wildfires. - Q: What is the relationship between wildfires and severe weather?
A: Intense wildfires can create severe thunderstorms and tornadoes by developing pyrocumulus clouds and strong updrafts that cool and condense on fire particles in the atmosphere.
