Araştırma uçakları yangınların oluşturduğu fırtına bulutlarının peşinde

NASA’s INSPYRE campaign spent six weeks investigating pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or pyroCbs, which form when intense fires drive smoke into thunderstorm-like systems. These clouds can generate lightning, rain and dangerous winds that intensify the fire below. The largest also inject smoke into the stratosphere, where particles may travel across continents, persist for months and influence weather and climate. Researchers used a Gulfstream jet, NASA’s high-altitude ER-2 aircraft and ground instruments to measure smoke particles, gases, ice crystals, radiation, fire intensity and updraft speed. Because pyroCbs can develop and fade within minutes, intercepting one is difficult. A chance encounter with Idaho’s Wildhorse fire nevertheless allowed the Gulfstream crew to sample a plume about an hour after it formed. Scientists will now combine aircraft, satellite and ground observations with models, aiming to improve both climate simulations and warnings that could help firefighters anticipate sudden downdrafts or wind shifts.