Wildfires in Oregon burning so hot they’re creating their own weather

Wildfires raging in the west are forcing mass evacuations and road closures. In Oregon, meteorologists say the flames are so hot, they’re creating their own weather by way of a pyrocumulus cloud. Meteorologist David Bishop describes it as a convection oven. Heat and smoke from the wildfire create an updraft, which then hits cooler air in the atmosphere, creating a cloud. If it’s big enough, it can become its own weather system, creating wind, rain, and lightning. Photo: Oregon Department of Transportation via AP ------------------------------------- Join our newsletter at Follow us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: Follow us on Instagram: Follow us on TikTok: @scrippsnews