Alert archive / Massachusetts / Red Flag Warnings in 2006

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

April 2, 20065 counties in Rhode Island; 10 counties in Massachusetts; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this red flag warning at Apr 2, 2006, 4:57 AM EDT for 5 counties in Rhode Island; 10 counties in Massachusetts; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. It took effect at Apr 2, 2006, 11:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 8 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Apr 2, 2006, 4:57 AM EDT (08:57 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 2, 2006, 11:00 AM EDT
Expired
Apr 2, 2006, 7:00 PM EDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA

Counties Capitol Planning Region, CT, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT, Bristol County, MA, Essex County, MA, Franklin County, MA, Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA, Middlesex County, MA, Norfolk County, MA, Plymouth County, MA, Suffolk County, MA, Worcester County, MA, Bristol County, RI, Kent County, RI, Newport County, RI, Providence County, RI, Washington County, RI

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 43 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:55 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Chatham, MA (KCHH), launched 00:00Z, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 145 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 2006-04-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 2006-04-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 4 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
610 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
4 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
68 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WWUS81 KBOX 020857
RFWBOX

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
457 AM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-021700-
/O.UPG.KBOX.FW.A.0003.060402T1600Z-060402T2300Z/
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.W.0004.060402T1500Z-060402T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
457 AM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM EDT
THIS AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM EDT
THIS AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHWESTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...
ALL OF RHODE ISLAND EXCEPT BLOCK ISLAND...AND MOST OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXCEPT CAPE COD...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET. THE FIRE WEATHER
WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

MOST LOCATIONS RECEIVED LESS THEN ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH SATURDAY.
A DRY NORTHWEST FLOW OF AIR WILL ALLOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO DROP
TO BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL GUST TO 20 TO
30 MPH FROM THE NORTHWEST.

SLIGHTLY HIGHER HUMIDITY LEVELS AND LOWER WIND SPEEDS WILL PRECLUDE RED
FLAG CRITERIA ACROSS BLOCK ISLAND...CAPE COD...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND
NANTUCKET ISLAND. HOWEVER AN ELEVATED FIRE HAZARD REMAINS FOR THESE 
LOCATIONS.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG
WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE
EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

$$

STRAUSS
6 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 021425
RFWBOX

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1025 AM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-022200-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0004.060402T1500Z-060402T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
1025 AM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...AND MOST OF
RHODE ISLAND AND MASSACHUSETTS.

RAINFALL YESTERDAY WAS LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH ON
AVERAGE... AND WAS THE FIRST MEASURABLE RAINFALL FOR MANY LOCATIONS
IN 17 DAYS.

NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 30 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH
AFTERNOON HUMIDITY VALUES BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT TO RESULT IN RED
FLAG CONDITIONS FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.

WINDS WILL DIMINISH AND HUMIDITY VALUES WILL RECOVER BY 6 PM.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE GROWTH
POTENTIAL.

$$

JWD
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 021904
RFWBOX

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
304 PM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-022200-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-060402T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
304 PM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...NORTHERN CONNECTICUT... AND MOST OF
RHODE ISLAND AND MASSACHUSETTS.

AFTERNOON HUMIDITY VALUES HAVE DROPPED TO AS LOW AS 15 PERCENT IN
MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WITH NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS
30 MPH. EXPECT WINDS TO DIMINISH BY 6 PM AS HUMIDITY VALUES SLOWLY
RECOVER.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
OCCURRING. THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE GROWTH
POTENTIAL.

$$

JWD
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 022137
RFWBOX

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
537 PM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-022300-
/O.EXT.KBOX.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-060402T2300Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
537 PM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THE RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

LATE AFTERNOON HUMIDITY WERE CURRENTLY AS LOW AS 15 PERCENT IN MUCH
OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WITH NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 30
MPH. EXPECT WINDS TO DIMINISH BY 7 PM. IN ADDITION...THE DRY AIR WILL
ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO FALL FAIRLY QUICKLY AFTER 7 PM ALLOWING
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO BEGIN TO RISE.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE OCCURRING. THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE
GROWTH POTENTIAL.

$$

FRANK/JWD
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 022256
RFWBOX

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
656 PM EDT SUN APR 2 2006


CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-030000-
/O.EXP.KBOX.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-060402T2300Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
656 PM EDT SUN APR 2 2006

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING. NORTHWEST
WINDS WILL RAPIDLY DIMINISH TO BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH OVER THE NEXT FEW
HOURS. IN ADDITION...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL CLIMB TO OVER 30
PERCENT AFTER 9 OR 10 PM. THEREFORE...THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL BE
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 7 PM.

$$

FRANK
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 120236
RFWBOX

FIRE WEATHER WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1036 PM EDT TUE APR 11 2006

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>006-008>014-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001-121045-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.A.0004.060412T1600Z-060412T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-
WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-
CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
1036 PM EDT TUE APR 11 2006

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...

FREQUENT WIND GUSTS BETWEEN 20 AND 25 MPH AND RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
BETWEEN 25 AND 30 PERCENT ARE EXPECTED DURING WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
ACROSS MUCH OF INTERIOR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
COMBINE WITH DRY FUELS IN THE WATCH AREA TO PRODUCE AN ELEVATED FIRE
WEATHER CONCERN. ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP DURING WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID GROWTH.

THE AREA OF CONCERN INCLUDES NORTHERN CONNECTICUT NEAR THE
MASSACHUSETTS BORDER...MUCH OF INTERIOR MASSACHUSETTS WEST AND
NORTHWEST OF THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR...FAR NORTHWEST RHODE
ISLAND AND SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

$$

JACKSON
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 120623
RFWBOX

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
223 AM EDT WED APR 12 2006

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>006-008>014-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001-121430-
/O.UPG.KBOX.FW.A.0004.060412T1600Z-060412T2200Z/
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.W.0005.060412T1600Z-060412T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-
WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-
CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
223 AM EDT WED APR 12 2006

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM EDT THIS
AFTERNOON. 

THE AREA OF CONCERN INCLUDES NORTHERN CONNECTICUT NEAR THE
MASSACHUSETTS BORDER...MUCH OF INTERIOR MASSACHUSETTS WEST AND
NORTHWEST OF THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR...FAR NORTHWEST RHODE ISLAND
AND SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.

SOUTH WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON AND FREQUENT GUSTS BETWEEN
20 AND 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED. IN ADDITION...MINIMUM AFTERNOON RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES WILL DROP TO BETWEEN 25 AND 30 PERCENT. THESE CONDITIONS
WILL COMBINE WITH DRY FUELS IN THE WARNED AREA TO PRODUCE AN ELEVATED
FIRE WEATHER CONCERN. ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON HAVE THE
POTENTIAL FOR RAPID GROWTH.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

$$

FRANK

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 1, 7:25 PM ESTFire Weather WatchBOXBristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, Washington9 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Massachusetts, 2006Red Flag Warnings in Rhode Island, 2006Red Flag Warnings in Connecticut, 2006Every red flag warning in 2006

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.