From a University of Leicester press release
Space scientists at the University of Leicester have released satellite images of vast plumes of smoke emanating from the peat bog fires which are currently sweeping across central and western Russia.
Using equipment on the European satellite MetOp-A researchers from the University’s Earth Observation Science group have analysed and released still images taken on 4, 8 and 9 August.
Each satellite image is available as both a true colour image and as a false colour version in which the smoke shows up as yellow. Using this technique, the extent of the smoke plumes and their encirclement of Moscow becomes obvious.
As well as demonstrating the massive extent of the smoke clouds across Western Russia, the satellite images indicate another interesting phenomenon: pyrocumulonimbus clouds. These are water clouds, caused by hot air rising directly from a fire, which can trap airborne pollution and transport it for thousands of kilometres. The image from 8 August clearly shows these clouds moving towards Finland in the extreme top left of the picture.
Dr David Moore from the Earth Observation Science Group said,: “Using measurements from spaceborne instruments, we have been able to observe the vast extent of the smoke released from numerous wildfires in Western Russia. The pollutants contained within these smoke plumes can have a profound effect on both the local and regional air quality and atmospheric chemistry. A key aspect of our ongoing investigations will be to quantify the impact the fires have had on indirect greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide.”
The Earth Observation Science (EOS) group is based in the University of Leicester’s Space Research Centre and includes staff from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Geography. Earlier this year the EOS group released satellite images of the volcanic ice clouds which enveloped Europe after an eruption in Iceland.
Using data supplied by EUMETSAT from the MetOp-A and METEOSAT weather satellites, the EOS group have turned the three true-colour images on the left (taken on, top to bottom, 4, 8 and 9 August 2010), into false colour images which reveal the full extent of the Russian problem. All that yellow – that’s smoke, that is.
(Click on any image to see it full size.)
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Piers Corbyn suggests that a similar set of conditions occured 132 years ago. A quick google 1878/9 weather
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gale_of_1878
A tropical storm formed off the coast of Jamaica on October 18, 1878, and moved nearly due north. On October 20, the storm reached hurricane status and on October 21, the hurricane struck Cuba. The damage in Cuba was only minor and three schooners sank. The hurricane continued moving northeast and made landfall in North Carolina where it wrecked a schooner and several steamers. The storm later continued inland moving at speeds between 40-50 mph, carrying hurricane force winds as far as Richmond, Virginia, before merging with an extratropical storm over New England.
http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/bd1881/p170.htm
“The winter of 1878/9 proved long and unusually severe, inflicting great hardships upon the people” (isle-of-man)
I’m from the IPCC…what address do we send the Carbon Bill to?
Makes a mockery of any cutting of Co2 in reality.
lets see theres the aus fires, Canadas, spains, the volcanos all over the place and now Russia.
and we????? are to blame.
yeah sure, rave on delerious.
the Libs in aus are trying to bribe Farmers with 500mill over X years for carbon sinks.
hysterical! they send many broke tying up land and trees for Kyoto with NO recopmpense and the loss of many farms and lives.
and now are trying to use the same idiocy to gain their votes.
Back in the early ’80’s and as a teenager in Scotland it was just about possible some nights to pick up on AM the Armed Forces Network *live* baseball commentary broadcast to West Germany. Lanny Dykstra and Darryl Strawberry (??) were prominent. Still, it was live sport and at 3am who needs sleep? A couple of dial turns later with micro-adjustment sometimes brought Radio Moscow, with Vladimir Posner and ‘Moscow Mailbag’. Felt like rebel stuff –
Yeah, later my passport was stamped ‘CCCP”, same as it’s just a stamp as tourist in Leningrad/St Petersburg. It’d be some thing to see Russian – or Chinese – derived data.
Here in UK, energy policy has long lacked any direction, even nerve; as a net gazzillion producer we fall foul to tariffs and business take. In Scottish terms, we have a superceeding pledge as Gov for 80% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030. Norway knows this well – a honey-pot counted in many billions, derived from oil. A legacy based upon smart banking practices.
Meanwhile, it ranks purile – in every corner. Ha, taxpayers dosh funds staff umbrellas and bikes.
See where the money go’s? – see http://climatechange.sustainable-scotland.net/documents/annual-reports/ClackmannanshireCouncil-ScolandsClimateChangeDeclaration-AnnualReport2009.pdf
ps. bring back Gail Coombs. *** Tough get going …….. Much missed.
Peat bog fire in Russia (Moscow) was proved very serious this year are somewhat in 2002, but these peat area is existing since Stalin periods. the temperature of Moscow raised this year due to Iceland volcano ash. Why Mr Putin is blamed, just because he diverted forest fire department wasting money to some constructive use for prosperity of Russia. Some natural disturbance (SMOG) some trees burnt and some summer cottage will reappear soon again. it is nature and we have to tolerate it. i am in Pakistan and there is a serious flood now experts says 505 children of total population will definitely die due to flood effects. it is nature…
http://www.kazmis.weebly.com
Is this why the summer in the UK is now “unofficially over”? Smoke/soot in the upper atmosphere?
my brother is real happy he is not back in old moscow, right now he is on some boat some place in the Pacifica. but its not unknown to have up to 1500 old people die in the summer season.
I tried to leave a link on Climate Progress about the wildfires that had a quote from a Russian scientist categorically stating that the fires were NOT due to global warming.
Ol’ Joe didn’t have the balls to let it through moderation, and it got deleted.
Still, I tried….
(BTW I’ve lost the link. My own fault, I’m afraid)