Bonfire night: How do fireworks affect the weather?

According to some, the day after Bonfire Night it always rains, but can fireworks really change the weather?

The argument that fireworks make it rain the following day, stems from the chemical composition of fireworks. Fireworks are largely made up of sulphur, and as they explode in the air they release clouds of smoke containing sulphur and dioxin.

These large releases of sulphur and dioxin have long been thought to affect the weather. For example, a form of geoengineering known as cloud seeding is a process of injecting silver iodine into the clouds to encourage rainfall. This can be used as an aid to some countries and their crops, when they are experiencing severe drought conditions.

However, cloud seeding needs to be done at cloud heights, several thousands of metres above the ground. And of course, firework displays do not reach those kind of altitudes.

That being said, the amount of smoke produced by fireworks can certainly cause misty and foggy conditions, especially when the skies are clear and winds are light. This is because there is more cloud condensation nuclei present, which increases fog potential.

On the flip side, the weather can also have an impact on firework displays. If humidity is low for example, then fireworks can appear brighter. A temperature inversion can also enhance the sound of the explosions. Keep an eye on the WeatherRadar for how your display could be shaping up!