The Mosquito Fire, looking NE from the Bald Mtn Eldorado camera, during the afternoon of Sept. 13, 2022. AlertWildfire.
These photos of the Mosquito Fire 35 miles northeast of Sacramento taken by one of the AlertWildfire cameras Tuesday afternoon are unlike those we usually see over fires. Some of them appear to have altocumulus lenticularis clouds embedded or capping the column. Perhaps a meteorologist can weigh in with a more detailed explanation.
To see all of the articles on Wildfire Today about the Mosquito Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
The Mosquito Fire, looking NE from the Bald Mtn Eldorado camera, during the afternoon of Sept. 13, 2022. AlertWildfire.The Mosquito Fire, looking NE from the Bald Mtn Eldorado camera, during the afternoon of Sept. 13, 2022. AlertWildfire.The Mosquito Fire, looking NE from the Bald Mtn Eldorado camera, during the afternoon of Sept. 13, 2022. AlertWildfire.
Updated 6 a.m. PDT Sept. 15, 2022
One of our readers sent us this photo of a lenticular cloud over the Halfway Hill Fire smoke column near Price, Utah, July 11, 2022.
Lenticular cloud over the Halfway Hill Fire smoke column near Price, Utah, July 11, 2022. Contributed.
Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.
After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.
View all posts by Bill Gabbert
4 thoughts on “Photos of smoke columns not often seen”
My 2 cents on the photos… Holy Crap Batman!
0
0
Lenticular clouds formed by strong west winds around 30,000 feet forming a wave over the pyrocumulus. The smoke plume flows s-n in the lower levels, then it turns w-e in the upper levels. Usually the leni sits atop the pyro, but in this case the pyro updrafts punched through the leni on their way to 40,000 feet. The updrafts in the plume act like mountains inducing stationary wave clouds.
My 2 cents on the photos… Holy Crap Batman!
Lenticular clouds formed by strong west winds around 30,000 feet forming a wave over the pyrocumulus. The smoke plume flows s-n in the lower levels, then it turns w-e in the upper levels. Usually the leni sits atop the pyro, but in this case the pyro updrafts punched through the leni on their way to 40,000 feet. The updrafts in the plume act like mountains inducing stationary wave clouds.
Then, sort of like orographic lifting.
I believe that is called a pileus cloud.