Alert archive / Alaska / Red Flag Warnings in 2009

Red Flag Warning 2, NWS Fairbanks, AK

May 15, 2009

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this red flag warning at May 15, 2009, 1:26 PM AKDT. It took effect at May 16, 2009, 2:00 PM AKDT. It was in force for 52 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
May 15, 2009, 1:26 PM AKDT (21:26 UTC)
In effect from
May 16, 2009, 2:00 PM AKDT
Expired
May 18, 2009, 5:53 PM AKDT
In force
52 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

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

000 
WWAK62 PAFG 152126
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
126 PM AKDT FRI MAY 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SATURDAY TO 8 PM AKDT
SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN INTERIOR...

AKZ227-160530-
/X.NEW.PAFG.FW.W.0002.090516T2200Z-090518T0400Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
126 PM AKDT FRI MAY 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SATURDAY TO 8 PM AKDT
SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SATURDAY TO 8 PM AKDT
SUNDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL BELOW 15 PERCENT SATURDAY
AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON UNDER A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE
BUILDING OVER THE INTERIOR. NO PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED. HUMIDITIES
WILL RECOVER WELL ABOVE 15 PERCENT LATE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS
TO EASE THE FIRE DANGER. 

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$
8 follow-up statements
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 160519
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
919 PM AKDT FRI MAY 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SATURDAY TO 8 PM
   AKDT SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN INTERIOR...

AKZ227-161530-
/X.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0002.090516T2200Z-090518T0400Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
919 PM AKDT FRI MAY 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SATURDAY TO 8 PM
AKDT SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM SATURDAY TO 8 PM
AKDT SUNDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL BELOW 15 PERCENT
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON UNDER A STRONG HIGH
PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDING OVER THE INTERIOR. NO PRECIPITATION IS
EXPECTED. HUMIDITIES WILL RECOVER WELL ABOVE 15 PERCENT LATE
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS TO EASE THE FIRE DANGER.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 161513
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
713 AM AKDT SAT MAY 16 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM AKDT SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE
WESTERN INTERIOR...

AKZ227-171615-
/X.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0002.090516T2200Z-090518T0400Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
713 AM AKDT SAT MAY 16 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM AKDT SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM AKDT SUNDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL BELOW 15 PERCENT
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON UNDER A STRONG HIGH
PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDING OVER THE INTERIOR. NO PRECIPITATION IS
EXPECTED. HUMIDITIES WILL RECOVER WELL ABOVE 15 PERCENT LATE
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS TO EASE THE FIRE DANGER.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

KS

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 162218
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
218 PM AKDT SAT MAY 16 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN INTERIOR...

AKZ227-171630-
/X.EXT.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090519T0400Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
218 PM AKDT SAT MAY 16 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITY...

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL TO AROUND 
15 PERCENT SATURDAY...SUNDAY...AND MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING 
UNDER A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDING OVER THE INTERIOR. 
NO PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED. 

THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE EACH NIGHT...HOWEVER...MID
SLOPE RH RECOVERY WILL BE RELATIVELY POOR AT AROUND 35 PERCENT. 
RH WILL RECOVER ABOVE 50 PERCENT IN VALLEY LOCATIONS.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

KS

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 171602
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
802 AM AKDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY
FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN INTERIOR...

AKZ227-180015-
/X.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090519T0400Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
802 AM AKDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY
FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL TO AROUND
15 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND AGAIN ON MONDAY UNDER 
A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDING OVER THE INTERIOR. 

IN ADDITION...SOUTH WINDS WILL PICK UP THROUGH THE PASSES ON
MONDAY AND WILL FREQUENTLY GUST IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH. 

THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE EACH NIGHT...HOWEVER...MID
SLOPE RH RECOVERY WILL BE POOR AT AROUND 30 PERCENT. RH WILL 
RECOVER ABOVE 50 PERCENT IN VALLEY LOCATIONS.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

KS

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 172202
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
202 PM AKDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY
FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN
INTERIOR...

AKZ227-181630-
/X.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090519T0400Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
202 PM AKDT SUN MAY 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY
FOR STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM AKDT MONDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL REMAIN AROUND
15 PERCENT OR BELOW THIS EVENING...AND AGAIN ON MONDAY UNDER 
A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE OVER THE INTERIOR.

THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE OVERNIGHT...HOWEVER...MID
SLOPE RH RECOVERY WILL BE POOR AT 30 TO 40 PERCENT. RH WILL
RECOVER ABOVE 50 PERCENT IN VALLEY LOCATIONS.

IN ADDITION...SOUTH WINDS WILL PICK UP THROUGH THE PASSES ON
MONDAY AND WILL FREQUENTLY GUST IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

KS

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 181509
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
709 AM AKDT MON MAY 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY
FOR LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN
INTERIOR...

AKZ227-191630-
/X.EXT.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090521T0600Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
709 AM AKDT MON MAY 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY
FOR LOW HUMIDITY...

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DISCUSSION...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL REMAIN AROUND
15 PERCENT OR BELOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING DUE TO A
STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE ALOFT OVER THE INTERIOR.

THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE OVERNIGHT...HOWEVER...MID
SLOPE RH RECOVERY WILL BE POOR AT 30 TO 40 PERCENT. RH WILL
RECOVER ABOVE 50 PERCENT IN VALLEY LOCATIONS.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

KS/RL

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 181849 AAA
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
1049 AM AKDT MON MAY 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT
WEDNESDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN
INTERIOR...

AKZ227-191630-
/X.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090521T0600Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
1049 AM AKDT MON MAY 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT
WEDNESDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY.

DISCUSSION...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL REMAIN AROUND
15 PERCENT OR BELOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING DUE TO A STRONG
HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE ALOFT OVER THE INTERIOR.

THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE OVERNIGHT...HOWEVER...MID
SLOPE RH RECOVERY WILL BE POOR AT 30 TO 40 PERCENT. RH WILL
RECOVER ABOVE 50 PERCENT IN VALLEY LOCATIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING OR WILL
OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE AND DANGEROUS
FIRES. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD FIRE AGENCIES...AND THROUGH THEM...
TO THE PUBLIC.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

KS/RL

$$
000 
WWAK62 PAFG 190153
RFWWCZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
553 PM AKDT MON MAY 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR A PORTION OF THE WESTERN
INTERIOR...

AKZ227-190300-
/X.CAN.PAFG.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090521T0600Z/
UPPER KUSKOKWIM VALLEY-
553 PM AKDT MON MAY 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FAIRBANKS HAS CANCELLED THE RED
FLAG WARNING. 

A MOIST AIRMASS HAS MOVED IN FROM THE WEST AND HAS DECREASED THE
FIRE DANGER. RH VALUES WILL REMAIN ABOVE 15 PERCENT TONIGHT AND 
WEDNESDAY. 

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at May 15, 2:06 AM AKDT, 11 hours 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 15, 2:06 AM AKDT, 11 hours 20 minutes before
NORTHERN ALASKA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
206 AM AKDT FRI MAY 15 2009

.DISCUSSION...
MODELS IN DECENT AGREEMENT THROUGH 60 HOURS. UPPER LEVEL RIDGE
OVER BERING SEA WILL MOVE EASTWARD AND FORCE DEEP TROUGH OUT OF
CENTRAL ALASKA. OMEGA BLOCK SETS UP OVER EASTERN ALASKA BY LATE
SUNDAY AND INTO MONDAY. THIS WILL SEND TEMPERATURES SOARING AGAIN
OVER THE CENTRAL INTERIOR. FEEL SKEPTICAL ABOUT MOVING RIDGE SO
QUICKLY EASTWARD IN THIS TYPE OF PATTERN.

BELIEVE IT IS LIKELY THAT THE RIDGE WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR A
FEW DAYS LONGER THAN ADVERTISED BEFORE IT LAYS OVER.

WINDS WILL INCREASE SLIGHTLY OVER ZONE 213 LATE TONIGHT AS
APPROACHING LOW TIGHTENS THE GRADIENT IN THE AREA.

VERY LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS CONTINUE MANY PARTS OF THE ARCTIC COAST.
FOG HAS ALSO INUNDATED THE AREA.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...NONE.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUKON RIVER
FROM KOYUKUK TO HOLY CROSS AND FROM RUBY TO JUST ABOVE KOYUKUK.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLOOD WATCH FOR AKZ215-AKZ216.
&&

CF MAY 09

The office that day

Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 15, 12:15 PM AKDTAreal Flood AdvisoryAFG46 hr
May 15, 1:32 PM AKDTRed Flag WarningAFG6 days
May 15, 3:01 PM AKDTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG71 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Alaska, 2009Every red flag warning in 2009

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.