Alert archive / Alabama / Red Flag Warnings in 2009

Red Flag Warning 21, NWS Mobile, AL

February 18, 200910 counties in Alabama

NWS Mobile, AL issued this red flag warning at Feb 18, 2009, 2:51 PM CST for 10 counties in Alabama. It took effect at Feb 20, 2009, 11:00 AM CST. It was in force for 7 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
Feb 18, 2009, 2:51 PM CST (20:51 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 20, 2009, 11:00 AM CST
Expired
Feb 20, 2009, 6:00 PM CST
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL

Counties Butler County, AL, Choctaw County, AL, Clarke County, AL, Conecuh County, AL, Covington County, AL, Crenshaw County, AL, Escambia County, AL, Monroe County, AL, Washington County, AL, Wilcox County, AL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 138 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:51 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

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 12:00Z, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 182 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2009-02-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 11 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Birmingham, AL at 12:00Z on 2009-02-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 604 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
11 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-38 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
526 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
57 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
604 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
698 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 
WWUS84 KMOB 182051
RFWMOB

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
251 PM CST WED FEB 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY FOR 
THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE DUE TO A LONG DURATION OF LOW RELATIVE 
HUMIDITY...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY FOR THE 
WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE DUE TO A LONG DURATION OF LOW RELATIVE 
HUMIDITY...

.SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BECOME BETTER DEVELOPED LATER
TODAY AND TONIGHT IN ADVANCE OF COLD FRONT APPROACHING FROM THE
WEST. IN THE WAKE OF THE FRONT COOLER DRIER WEATHER CAN BE
EXPECTED WITH AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FALLING BELOW
CRITICAL THRESHOLDS OVER THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE ON
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL HAVE TO BE
CLOSELY MONITORED THROUGH SATURDAY.

FLZ001>006-191300-
/O.UPG.KMOB.FW.A.0016.090219T1700Z-090220T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMOB.FW.W.0020.090219T1700Z-090220T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMOB.FW.W.0021.090220T1700Z-090221T0000Z/
INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-
251 PM CST WED FEB 18 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY. A
RED FLAG WARNING HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS RED FLAG WARNING IS
IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY. 

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

$$
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS84 KMOB 191222
RFWMOB

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
622 AM CST THU FEB 19 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY FOR
THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE DUE TO A LONG DURATION OF LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY FOR
THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE DUE TO A LONG DURATION OF LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

.DRY COOL WEATHER WILL SETTLE OVER THE CENTRAL GULF COAST REGION
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING AS A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS
OVER THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY AND CENTRAL GULF STATES.
AFTERNOON HUMIDITIES WILL HAVE TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED THROUGH
FRIDAY. COOLER DRYER WEATHER WILL BECOME REESTABLISHED OVER THE
FORECAST AREA SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY IN THE WAKE OF A SURFACE COLD
FRONT WHICH MOVES ACROSS THE REGION EARLY SUNDAY.

FLZ001>006-200430-
/O.CON.KMOB.FW.W.0020.090219T1700Z-090220T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.FW.W.0021.090220T1700Z-090221T0000Z/
INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-
622 AM CST THU FEB 19 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST
FRIDAY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON. A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT
FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY. 

DRY COOL WEATHER WILL SETTLE OVER THE CENTRAL GULF COAST REGION
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING AS A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS
OVER THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY AND CENTRAL GULF STATES.
AFTERNOON HUMIDITIES WILL HAVE TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED THROUGH
FRIDAY. COOLER DRYER WEATHER WILL BECOME REESTABLISHED OVER THE
FORECAST AREA SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY IN THE WAKE OF A SURFACE COLD
FRONT WHICH MOVES ACROSS THE REGION EARLY SUNDAY.

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

$$
000 
WWUS84 KMOB 191938
RFWMOB

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
138 PM CST THU FEB 19 2009

...A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST TODAY FOR THE
WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE DUE TO A LONG DURATION OF LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY...

...A RED FLAG WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY
FOR SOUTHWEST ALABAMA AND THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE DUE TO A LONG
DURATION OF LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

.DRY COOL WEATHER WILL SETTLE OVER THE CENTRAL GULF COAST REGION
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING AS A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE
BUILDS OVER THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY AND CENTRAL GULF
STATES. THE COMBINATION OF VERY DRY AIR AND TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER
50S WILL CREATE VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS THE CENTRAL GULF COAST.

ALZ051>064-201145-
/O.EXA.KMOB.FW.W.0021.090220T1700Z-090221T0000Z/
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE-
LOWER BALDWIN-
138 PM CST THU FEB 19 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY. 

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

$$

FLZ001>006-201145-
/O.CON.KMOB.FW.W.0020.000000T0000Z-090220T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.FW.W.0021.090220T1700Z-090221T0000Z/
INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-
138 PM CST THU FEB 19 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
AFTERNOON...
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM CST
FRIDAY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
AFTERNOON. A RED FLAG WARNING ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO
6 PM CST FRIDAY. 

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

$$
000 
WWUS84 KMOB 201248
RFWMOB

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
648 AM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST
THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND ALL OF SOUTHWEST
ALABAMA DUE TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF LONG DURATIONS OF CRITICALLY LOW RELATIVE 
HUMIDITY VALUES...

.DRY COOL WEATHER WILL SETTLE OVER THE CENTRAL GULF COAST REGION
TODAY AS A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS OVER THE LOWER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY AND CENTRAL GULF COAST STATES. THE
COMBINATION OF VERY DRY AIR AND TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 50S WILL
CREATE VERY LOW AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES ACROSS THE
REGION.

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-210000-
/O.CON.KMOB.FW.W.0021.090220T1700Z-090221T0000Z/
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE-
LOWER BALDWIN-INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-
648 AM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

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

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON. 

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

$$
000 
WWUS84 KMOB 202018
RFWMOB

RED FLAG WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
218 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON FOR
THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND ALL OF SOUTHWEST ALABAMA DUE TO LONG
DURATIONS OF CRITICALLY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES...

.DRY COOL WEATHER WILL SETTLE OVER THE CENTRAL GULF COAST REGION
TODAY AS A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS OVER THE LOWER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY AND CENTRAL GULF COAST STATES. THE
COMBINATION OF VERY DRY AIR AND TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 50S
WILL CREATE VERY LOW AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES ACROSS
THE REGION.

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-210000-
/O.CON.KMOB.FW.W.0021.000000T0000Z-090221T0000Z/
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE-
LOWER BALDWIN-INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-
218 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

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

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

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

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Mobile, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 18, 2:51 PM CSTRed Flag WarningMOB27 hr
Feb 18, 5:11 PM CSTTornado WarningMOBChoctaw, Clarke26 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Alabama, 2009Red Flag Warnings in Florida, 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.