Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2011

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Flagstaff, AZ

April 18, 2011Apache County, Coconino County, Navajo County, Arizona

NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued this red flag warning at Apr 18, 2011, 2:49 AM MST for Apache County, Coconino County, Navajo County, Arizona. It took effect at Apr 18, 2011, 12:00 PM MST. 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
Apr 18, 2011, 2:49 AM MST (09:49 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 18, 2011, 12:00 PM MST
Expired
Apr 18, 2011, 7:00 PM MST
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Flagstaff, AZ

Counties Apache County, AZ, Coconino County, AZ, Navajo County, AZ

The radar

The Flagstaff radar (KFSX), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:49 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

Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 00:00Z, 9.8 hours before the alert went out and 121 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, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 00:00Z on 2011-04-18Temperature 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 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 00:00Z on 2011-04-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -6 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
3171 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-6 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
78 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.

645 
WWUS85 KFGZ 180949
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
249 AM MST MON APR 18 2011

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST MONDAY UNTIL
7 PM MST MONDAY EVENING FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA
BELOW 7000 FEET DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...

.AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT WILL BRING STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS AND
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO MUCH OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING. CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 7000 FEET FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
ARIZONA.

AZZ110>114-140-182200-
/O.UPG.KFGZ.FW.A.0003.110418T1900Z-110419T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FW.W.0003.110418T1900Z-110419T0200Z/
CHINLE VALLEY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 110)-
CHUSKA MOUNTAINS AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN COCONINO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 112)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN NAVAJO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
113)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN APACHE COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
114)-
NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HWY 264 (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
140)-
249 AM MST MON APR 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM MST THIS
EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES. THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* THE AFFECTED AREA INCLUDES THE CHINLE VALLEY...CHUSKA MOUNTAINS
  AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU...THE ENTIRE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY
  AND THE NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 264.

* TIMING: GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP BY MID MORNING.
  RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL BELOW 15 PERCENT AFTER 12 PM.
  CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY 
  THIS EVENING.

* 20-FOOT WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WILL DEVELOP BY
  MID MORNING. SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED THIS
  AFTERNOON THROUGH 7 PM MST.


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.

PLEASE NOTIFY FIELD CREWS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/FLAGSTAFF
3 follow-up statements
195 
WWUS85 KFGZ 181005 CCA
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
304 AM MST MON APR 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY FROM NOON MST UNTIL 7 PM MST FOR
PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA BELOW 7000 FEET DUE TO STRONG
WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...

.AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT WILL BRING STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS AND
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO MUCH OF NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING. CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED FOR ELEVATIONS BELOW 7000 FEET FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
ARIZONA.

AZZ110>114-140-182230-
/O.UPG.KFGZ.FW.A.0003.110418T1900Z-110419T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FW.W.0003.110418T1900Z-110419T0200Z/
CHINLE VALLEY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 110)-
CHUSKA MOUNTAINS AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN COCONINO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 112)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN NAVAJO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
113)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN APACHE COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
114)-
NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HWY 264 (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
140)-
304 AM MST MON APR 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM MST THIS
EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM MST THIS
EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES. THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* THE AFFECTED AREA INCLUDES THE CHINLE VALLEY...CHUSKA MOUNTAINS
  AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU...THE ENTIRE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY
  AND THE NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 264.

* TIMING: GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP BY MID MORNING.
  RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL BELOW 15 PERCENT AFTER 12 PM.
  CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY 
  THIS EVENING.

* 20-FOOT WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WILL DEVELOP BY
  MID MORNING. SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED THIS
  AFTERNOON THROUGH 7 PM MST.


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.

PLEASE NOTIFY FIELD CREWS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/FLAGSTAFF
060 
WWUS85 KFGZ 181813
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
1113 AM MST MON APR 18 2011


AZZ110>114-140-190200-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0003.110418T1900Z-110419T0200Z/
CHINLE VALLEY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 110)-
CHUSKA MOUNTAINS AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN COCONINO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 112)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN NAVAJO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
113)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN APACHE COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
114)-
NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HWY 264 (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
140)-
1113 AM MST MON APR 18 2011

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MST THIS EVENING
BELOW 7000 FEET FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES...

* AFFECTED AREA: THE CHINLE VALLEY...CHUSKA MOUNTAINS AND DEFIANCE
  PLATEAU...THE ENTIRE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AND THE
  NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 264.

* TIMING: CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST INTO THE
  EARLY EVENING HOURS...THEN WINDS WILL DECREASE AS HUMIDITY RISES
  FROM MID TO LATE EVENING.

* 20-FOOT WINDS: SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45
  MPH ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH 7 PM MST.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITIES: 10-15 PERCENT THROUGH EARLY THIS 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.

PLEASE NOTIFY FIELD CREWS OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$


HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/FLAGSTAFF
183 
WWUS85 KFGZ 190159
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
659 PM MST MON APR 18 2011

AZZ110>114-140-190300-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-110419T0200Z/
CHINLE VALLEY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 110)-
CHUSKA MOUNTAINS AND DEFIANCE PLATEAU (FIRE WEATHER ZONE 111)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN COCONINO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 112)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN NAVAJO COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
113)-
LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY IN APACHE COUNTY (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
114)-
NORTHEAST PLATEAUS AND MESAS SOUTH OF HWY 264 (FIRE WEATHER ZONE
140)-
659 PM MST MON APR 18 2011

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

THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MST THIS EVENING. 

AS RELATIVE HUMIDITIES CONTINUE TO RISE THIS EVENING...THE RED
FLAG WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 7 PM MST. OCCASIONALLY
GUSTY WINDS WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE NIGHT.

$$


HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/FLAGSTAFF

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 2011Every red flag warning in 2011

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.