Alert archive / Massachusetts / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

April 3, 201210 counties in Massachusetts; 5 counties in Rhode Island; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this red flag warning at Apr 3, 2012, 4:16 AM EDT for 10 counties in Massachusetts; 5 counties in Rhode Island; Capitol Planning Region, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. It took effect at Apr 3, 2012, 11:00 AM 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 3, 2012, 4:16 AM EDT (08:16 UTC)
In effect from
Apr 3, 2012, 11:00 AM EDT
Expired
Apr 3, 2012, 7:00 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 08:21 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

Chatham, MA (KCHH), launched 00:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 145 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, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 2012-04-03Temperature 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, Chatham, MA at 00:00Z on 2012-04-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 34 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
1590 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
75 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.

416 
WWUS81 KBOX 030816
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
416 AM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND...

VERY DRY AIR...GUSTY NORTH-NORTHWEST WINDS...AND MINIMAL RECENT
RAINFALL WILL RESULT IN RED FLAG CONDITIONS TODAY.

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-031630-
/O.UPG.KBOX.FW.A.0003.120403T1400Z-120403T2300Z/
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.W.0003.120403T1500Z-120403T2300Z/
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-
416 AM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EDT
THIS EVENING FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING. THE FIRE WEATHER
WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA...MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...MOST OF
  MASSACHUSETTS EXCEPT BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND CAPE COD AND THE
  ISLANDS...NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT...MOST OF
  RHODE ISLAND EXCEPT BLOCK ISLAND.

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* TIMING...FROM LATE MORNING THROUGH EVENING.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE UPPER 50S TO LOWER 60S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED. 

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 AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL CREATE AN ELEVATED
FIRE SPREAD POTENTIAL.

&&

$$
3 follow-up statements
817 
WWUS81 KBOX 031402
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1002 AM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND...

VERY DRY AIR...GUSTY NORTH-NORTHWEST WINDS...AND MINIMAL RECENT
RAINFALL WILL RESULT IN RED FLAG CONDITIONS TODAY.

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-032215-
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0003.120403T1500Z-120403T2300Z/
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-
1002 AM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

* AFFECTED AREA...SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE...ALL OF MASSACHUSETTS
  EXCEPT BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS...NORTH
  CENTRAL AND NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT...AND ALL OF RHODE ISLAND
  EXCEPT BLOCK ISLAND.

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* TIMING...FROM LATE MORNING THROUGH EVENING.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 11 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE UPPER 50S TO LOWER 60S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED. 

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 AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL CREATE AN ELEVATED
FIRE SPREAD POTENTIAL.

&&

$$

RLG
887 
WWUS81 KBOX 032030
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
430 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND AND A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY...

VERY DRY AIR...GUSTY NORTH-NORTHWEST WINDS...AND MINIMAL RECENT
RAINFALL WILL RESULT IN RED FLAG CONDITIONS TODAY AND WEDNESDAY.

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-040430-
/O.NEW.KBOX.FW.A.0004.120404T1500Z-120404T2300Z/
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120403T2300Z/
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-
430 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING
FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...

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

* AFFECTED AREA...ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND EXCEPT THE CAPE AND
  ISLANDS. 

* WINDS...WEST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* TIMING...FROM LATE MORNING THROUGH EVENING.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 12 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE UPPER 50S TO LOWER 60S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED. 

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 AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL CREATE AN ELEVATED
FIRE SPREAD POTENTIAL.

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

&&

$$

RLG
629 
WWUS81 KBOX 032300
RFWBOX

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
700 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN
NEW ENGLAND...

VERY DRY AIR...GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS...AND MINIMAL RECENT
RAINFALL WILL RESULT IN RED FLAG CONDITIONS WEDNESDAY.

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-040700-
/O.EXP.KBOX.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-120403T2300Z/
/O.CON.KBOX.FW.A.0004.120404T1500Z-120404T2300Z/
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-
700 PM EDT TUE APR 3 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ...

* AFFECTED AREA...ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND EXCEPT THE CAPE 
  AND ISLANDS. 

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* TIMING...FROM LATE MORNING THROUGH EVENING.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 12 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE UPPER 50S TO LOWER 60S.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY. 
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

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 3, 4:04 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryBOX12 hr
Apr 3, 4:30 PM EDTFire Weather WatchBOXBristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex and 4 more10 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Massachusetts, 2012Red Flag Warnings in Rhode Island, 2012Red Flag Warnings in Connecticut, 2012Every red flag warning in 2012

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.