Extremely hot weather plaguing California /https://mkweather.com/2020/08/17/right-now-death-valley-with-the-hottest-ever-recorded-temperature-on-the-planet-or-minimally-since-1931-130f-54-4c// took a strange fire tornado this week /https://mkweather.com/2020/08/17/very-rarely-warning-before-fire-tornado-in-california//, as a mysterious circle of black smoke wafted over Santa Clara, California. Shocked eyewitnesses captured it on video as heavy thunderstorms bombarded the Bay Area.
Such a rare phenomenon usually takes place over active volcanoes, which can eject grey or white vortexes of steam and gas, sometimes as wide as 600 feet in diameter.
The cause of this black smoke circle remains unknown. However, it was associated with a powerful lightning strike that erupted moments before.
One theory is that the bolt ignited a fire that released the smoke. Another is that the jolt detonated a nearby telephone pole transformer, setting off the circular puff.
Sources:
https://presscalifornia.com/2020/08/18/watch-giant-smoke-ring-seen-floating-over-south-bay/
https://weather.com/news/trending/video/mysterious-smoke-ring-floats-over-california-city
