Weather Tidbits: Pyrocumulus

A special cloud is explored in this Weather Tidbits. A pyrocumulus is a cumulus cloud associated with fire. They are commonly seen over wildfires but can occur with volcanic eruptions. The cloud is produced by rising hot air and water vapor to condensation above the fire. Pyrocumulus clouds can extend wide vertically from humulis to congestus, but with enough moisture it can become a cumulonimbus, which can produce lightning and trigger more fires. Sometimes, pyrocumulus clouds can produce rain showers limiting or extinguishing the blaze.