Alert archive / Massachusetts / Red Flag Warnings in 2009

Red Flag Warning 2, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

April 15, 20094 counties in Massachusetts; Providence County, Rhode Island; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this red flag warning at Apr 15, 2009, 11:56 AM EDT for 4 counties in Massachusetts; Providence County, Rhode Island; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. It was in force for 6 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 15, 2009, 11:56 AM EDT (15:56 UTC)
Expired
Apr 15, 2009, 6:00 PM EDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA

Counties Capitol Planning Region, CT, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT, Hampden County, MA, Hampshire County, MA, Middlesex County, MA, Worcester County, MA, Providence County, RI

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:56 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

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 12:00Z, 3.9 hours before the alert went out and 153 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2009-04-15Temperature 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, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2009-04-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 19 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
1113 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
19 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
125 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 151556
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1156 AM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...BLUSTERY NORTHEAST WINDS COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY WILL CREATE
ELEVATED FIRE SPREAD AND ASSOCIATED DANGER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON
AND PROBABLY AGAIN AT LEAST LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON...


CTZ002>004-MAZ004-005-008>012-026-RIZ001-152200-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.W.0002.090415T1556Z-090415T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-
NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
1156 AM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING. 

THIS WARNING IS FOR INTERIOR EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST
MASSACHUSETTS...THE NORTHWEST PART OF RHODE ISLAND AND MUCH OF NORTHERN
CONNECTICUT.

THE COMBINATION OF RECENTLY DRY WEATHER...TODAYS LOW HUMIDITY DROPPING
INTO THE 15 TO 25 PERCENT RANGE...COMBINED WITH NORTHEAST WIND GUSTS
OF 25 TO 30 MPH HAS PROMPTED THE ISSUANCE OF A RED FLAG WARNING.

ANOTHER WATCH/WARNING PROCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING...ESPECIALLY FOR NORTHERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTH CENTRAL
NEW HAMPSHIRE.  

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

DRAG
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 152037
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
437 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...BLUSTERY NORTHEAST WINDS COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY WILL CREATE
ELEVATED FIRE SPREAD AND ASSOCIATED DANGER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON
AND PROBABLY AGAIN AT LEAST LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

CTZ003-004-RIZ001-160445-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.A.0002.090416T1400Z-090416T2000Z/
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090415T2200Z/
TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
437 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY
AFTERNOON. A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT
THIS EVENING. 

THE CURRENT WARNING IS FOR THE NORTHWEST PART OF RHODE ISLAND AND
MUCH OF NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT.

THE COMBINATION OF RECENTLY DRY WEATHER...TODAYS LOW HUMIDITY
DROPPING INTO THE 15 TO 25 PERCENT RANGE...COMBINED WITH NORTHEAST
WIND GUSTS OF 25 MPH HAS PROMPTED THE ISSUANCE OF A RED FLAG WARNING.

ANOTHER WATCH/WARNING PROCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING...ESPECIALLY FOR NORTHERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTH CENTRAL
NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

THE NEXT CHANCE FOR A WIDESPREAD SOAKING RAIN ARRIVES LATER MONDAY
INTO TUESDAY.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

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

&&

$$

CTZ002-MAZ004-005-008>012-026-152200-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090415T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-
437 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

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

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

THIS WARNING IS FOR INTERIOR EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...CENTRAL AND
SOUTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS...AND HARTFORD COUNTY OF NORTH CENTRAL 
CONNECTICUT.

THE COMBINATION OF RECENTLY DRY WEATHER...TODAYS LOW HUMIDITY
DROPPING INTO THE 15 TO 25 PERCENT RANGE...COMBINED WITH NORTHEAST
WIND GUSTS OF 25 MPH HAS PROMPTED THE ISSUANCE OF A RED FLAG WARNING.

ANOTHER WATCH/WARNING PROCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING...ESPECIALLY FOR NORTHERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTH CENTRAL
NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

THE NEXT CHANCE FOR A WIDESPREAD SOAKING RAIN ARRIVES LATER MONDAY
INTO TUESDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

$$

MAZ017-RIZ002-160445-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.A.0002.090416T1400Z-090416T2000Z/
NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-
437 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY
AFTERNOON. 

THIS WATCH COVERS THE IMMEDIATE NORTHWEST SUBURBS OF PROVIDENCE AND
NORTHERN BRISTOL COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS.

THE COMBINATION OF RECENTLY DRY WEATHER...HUMIDITY DROPPING INTO THE
20 TO 25 PERCENT RANGE MIDDAY THURSDAY...COMBINED WITH NORTHEAST WIND
GUSTS OF AROUND 25 MPH HAS PROMPTED THE ISSUANCE OF A FIRE WATCH THURSDAY.

ANOTHER WATCH/WARNING PROCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING.

THE NEXT CHANCE FOR A WIDESPREAD SOAKING RAIN ARRIVES LATER MONDAY
INTO TUESDAY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$


DRAG
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 152224
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
624 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...BLUSTERY NORTHEAST WINDS COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY WILL
CREATE ELEVATED FIRE SPREAD AND ASSOCIATED DANGER CONDITIONS THIS
AFTERNOON AND PROBABLY AGAIN AT LEAST LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

CTZ003-004-RIZ001-160630-
/O.EXP.KBOX.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090415T2200Z/
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.A.0002.090416T1400Z-090416T2000Z/
TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
624 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...
...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH
REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY
AFTERNOON. 

ANOTHER WATCH/WARNING PROCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON
AND EVENING...ESPECIALLY FOR NORTHERN MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTH CENTRAL
NEW HAMPSHIRE.

THE NEXT CHANCE FOR A WIDESPREAD SOAKING RAIN ARRIVES LATER
MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

CTZ002-MAZ004-005-008>012-026-152330-
/O.EXP.KBOX.FW.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090415T2200Z/
HARTFORD CT-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-
624 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

THE RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED.

$$

MAZ017-RIZ002-160630-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.A.0002.090416T1400Z-090416T2000Z/
NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-
624 PM EDT WED APR 15 2009

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 

THIS WATCH COVERS THE IMMEDIATE NORTHWEST SUBURBS OF PROVIDENCE
AND NORTHERN BRISTOL COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS.

THE COMBINATION OF RECENTLY DRY WEATHER...HUMIDITY DROPPING INTO
THE 20 TO 25 PERCENT RANGE MIDDAY THURSDAY...COMBINED WITH
NORTHEAST WIND GUSTS OF AROUND 25 MPH HAS PROMPTED THE ISSUANCE
OF A FIRE WATCH THURSDAY.

ANOTHER WATCH/WARNING PROCESS IS POSSIBLE FOR LATE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

THE NEXT CHANCE FOR A WIDESPREAD SOAKING RAIN ARRIVES LATER
MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 15, 4:37 PM EDTFire Weather WatchBOXBristol10 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Massachusetts, 2009Red Flag Warnings in Connecticut, 2009Red Flag Warnings in Rhode Island, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.