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The Weather Channel Uses Amazing Simulation To Show The Effects Of A Wildfire

The Weather Channel Uses Amazing Simulation To Show The Effects Of A Wildfire

The worst thing is, it could actually happen...

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

The Weather Channel is getting something of a reputation for being dramatic.

First it was the reporter over-exaggerating the wind whilst two guys strolled casually by, then it was their bizarre Hurricane Florence flood graphics. This time, it's a dramatic interpretation of the California wildfires that wouldn't look out of place in a disaster movie.

It wouldn't be a huge budget movie and it would only star Tara Reid rather than The Rock. Actually, the graphics are still better than Sharknado.

Anyway, in this footage, the meteorologist, Stephanie Abrams, is standing in a lovely forest clearing. Flowers are blooming, deer are grazing, she's just a picnic short of a lovely afternoon.

For whatever reason, a plane flies overhead. Just go with it, OK.

Stephanie is working her way through an explanation of the complex reasons and environmental conditions that cause wildfires, when suddenly the dream-like forest turns into a nightmare hellscape.

A single ember floats ominously on the breeze, waiting to unleash carnage on the unsuspecting forest. Just like that, the burning ball of flame explodes.

The deer are off, quick as lightning. The forest goes right up like someone has poured petrol on it.

The Weather Channel

Then, the disaster cam takes to the skies and shows swathes of the California countryside being charred and burned to a crisp while horrific statistics like "DESTROYS A FOOTBALL FIELD EVERY SECOND" appear as if to further ram home to horror of what could happen.

Then, just like that, we're in a residential neighbourhood. Fire engines dash around in vain as the mountains smoulder in the background.

We're warned to "GET OUT IMMEDIATELY" as Abrams reminds everyone that you may have only minutes to escape if something like this happens.

Break it to us gently, why don't you?

In her closing statement, Abrams reminds us that all of this is a result of global warming and scenes such as this could become "a frightening new reality".

Oh, good. That's something to look forward to at least.

If the fire doesn't get you, you'd better believe that the flooding will. The Weather Channel also did one of their disaster simulations for the flooding that Hurricane Florence would bring.

It showed another meteorologist standing in the midst of a huge storm surge whilst around him the whole neighbourhood floated past, cars and all.

It's almost as if they enjoy terrifying people with these videos.

The tragic part of it all is that these scenarios can and do happen.

Featured Image Credit: The Weather Channel

Topics: Weather, flooding, US News, TV