Home / Editor's Pick /

What is a firenado?

03:45 PM
November 9, 2023

Weather explained
What is a firenado?

When it comes to natural weather phenomena there are few sights as awe-inspiring as tornadoes. Except, maybe, a firenado.

Firenados, also called fire devils and fire whirls, typically consist of a burning core and a pocket of hot air spinning. While they have a similar name actual tornadoes form based on conditions in the atmosphere while these smaller whirls manifest based on conditions closer to the ground.

firenado

As hot, dry air passes over the flames the air begins to spin, and since heat rises the spinning becomes faster and faster generating the visual phenomenon of a fire devil.

These are actually quite common and often occur amid wildfires but you may even spot small firenados in bonfires!

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
Derecho iowa
Sunday, June 22, 2025

Stay severe weather-aware

What are derechos?
Sunday, June 22, 2025

Why & how does it work?

High pressure & extreme heat
Stonehenge during the June 2020 summer solstice.
Friday, June 20, 2025

Longest day of the year

Today marks the summer solstice
All weather news
This might also interest you
Monday, July 7, 2025

Struggle after disaster

Hill Country braces for more rain
Sunday, July 6, 2025

Tropical Storm Chantal

Carolina's heavy rains, flood risk
Thursday, July 3, 2025

Scud clouds

Ominous-looking but not dangerous
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.com

instagramfacebookthreadsContact uslinkList
Privacy policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement