Smoke Aerosol Impact on Hail and Tornado Thermodynamics

Wildfires are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, with significant implications for atmospheric conditions and weather systems in distant regions. Wildfire aerosols, composed of fine particulate matter, can absorb and scatter solar radiation, altering atmospheric stability and thermodynamics. This study examines the potential impact of wildfire smoke on weather conditions leading to severe weather events, particularly during tornado outbreaks. The April 2011 tornado outbreak in the United States, one of the most destructive on record, occurred alongside wildfire activity in South America, which transported smoke aerosols northward, affecting air quality and potentially atmospheric conditions in parts of the United States. By analyzing the distribution of these aerosols and their influence on atmospheric thermodynamics, particularly Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), we seek to understand how aerosol presence might have contributed to the intensity of the tornado outbreak. This research aims to explore the role of aerosol interactions in severe weather dynamics, specifically how changes in aerosol distribution can modify atmospheric stability, potentially amplifying conditions favorable for extreme weather events like tornadoes.