Alert archive / Massachusetts / Red Flag Warnings in 2009

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

April 17, 200910 counties in Massachusetts; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut; 5 counties in Rhode Island

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this red flag warning at Apr 17, 2009, 4:11 AM EDT for 10 counties in Massachusetts; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut; 5 counties in Rhode Island. It took effect at Apr 17, 2009, 12:00 PM 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 17, 2009, 4:11 AM EDT (08:11 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 17, 2009, 12:00 PM EDT
Expired
Apr 17, 2009, 8:00 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 08:11 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 00:00Z, 8.2 hours before the alert went out and 165 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 00:00Z on 2009-04-17Temperature 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 00:00Z on 2009-04-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 29 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1698 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
80 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 170811
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
411 AM EDT FRI APR 17 2009

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-171615-
/O.UPG.KBOX.FW.A.0003.090417T1500Z-090417T2200Z/
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.W.0003.090417T1600Z-090418T0000Z/
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-
411 AM EDT FRI APR 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

THIS WATCH COVERS ALL OF MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT FOR THE BERKSHIRES...
CAPE COD...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET...ALL OF RHODE ISLAND
EXCEPT FOR BLOCK ISLAND...ALL OF NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT...AND ALL OF
SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LOW MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...15 TO 25 PERCENT...AND WEST TO
SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED TODAY. THESE FACTORS
COMBINED WITH OUR RECENTLY DRY WEATHER WILL RESULT IN AN ELEVATED
FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

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.

&&

$$

BELK
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 170831
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
431 AM EDT FRI APR 17 2009

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-171645-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0003.090417T1600Z-090418T0000Z/
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-
431 AM EDT FRI APR 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING. 

THIS WARNING COVERS ALL OF MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT FOR THE
BERKSHIRES...CAPE COD...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET...ALL OF
RHODE ISLAND EXCEPT FOR BLOCK ISLAND...ALL OF NORTHEAST
CONNECTICUT...AND ALL OF SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LOW MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...15 TO 25 PERCENT...AND WEST TO
SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED TODAY. THESE
FACTORS COMBINED WITH OUR RECENTLY DRY WEATHER WILL RESULT IN AN
ELEVATED FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

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.

&&

$$

BELK
000 
WWUS81 KBOX 171633
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1233 PM EDT FRI APR 17 2009

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-180000-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-090418T0000Z/
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-
1233 PM EDT FRI APR 17 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

THIS WARNING COVERS ALL OF MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT FOR THE
BERKSHIRES...CAPE COD...MARTHAS VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET...ALL OF
RHODE ISLAND EXCEPT FOR BLOCK ISLAND...ALL OF NORTHEAST
CONNECTICUT...AND ALL OF SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.

LOW MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...15 TO 25 PERCENT...AND WEST TO
SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED TODAY. THESE
FACTORS COMBINED WITH OUR RECENTLY DRY WEATHER WILL RESULT IN AN
ELEVATED FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

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.

&&

$$

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Massachusetts, 2009Red Flag Warnings in Rhode Island, 2009Red Flag Warnings in Connecticut, 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.