"Colorado Fire Weather"
1-15 June 2002

Extreme drought conditions set the stage for numerous wildfires in the southwest U.S. during the 2002 fire season. In early June, large wildfires were burning in Colorado and New Mexico and ejected massive amounts of heat, particulates, and moisture into the atmosphere. Subsequently, severe thunderstorms developed downwind. On the night of Monday, June 10th, southwesterly winds drove the smoke plumes into northeastern Colorado, where showers and golf ball-sized hail were reported in Washington County near Akron. The next night, Tuesday, June 11th, more severe weather erupted in south-central Kansas including two small tornadoes. It is left to the investigater to examine the cause and effect relationship during these events.

Case Study 043