Alert archive / California / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 1, NWS Medford, OR

May 13, 2012Modoc County, Siskiyou County, California

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at May 13, 2012, 2:51 PM PDT for Modoc County, Siskiyou County, California. It took effect at May 14, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 9 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
May 13, 2012, 2:51 PM PDT (21:51 UTC)
In effect from
May 14, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT
Expired
May 14, 2012, 7:42 PM PDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Modoc County, CA, Siskiyou County, CA

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 105 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:48 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

Medford/Jackson, OR (KMFR), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 130 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, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2012-05-13Temperature 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, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2012-05-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -25 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
2041 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-25 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
85 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.

295 
WWUS86 KMFR 132151
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
251 PM PDT SUN MAY 13 2012

CAZ282-132300-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.A.0001.120514T1300Z-120515T0600Z/
SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST IN SISKIYOU COUNTY-
251 PM PDT SUN MAY 13 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS
AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONE 282 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS CANCELLED THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH FOR FIRE ZONE 282. THUNDERSTORMS ARE STILL EXPECTED
ACROSS FORE ZONE 282 ON MONDAY BUT FUELS MAY NOT HAVE DRIED ENOUGH
YET FOR A WARNING.


$$

CAZ284-141000-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0001.120514T1300Z-120515T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0001.120514T1300Z-120515T0600Z/
SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MT
SHASTA-
251 PM PDT SUN MAY 13 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 PM PDT MONDAY FOR
SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONE 284 IN NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA... 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONE
284...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 PM PDT MONDAY. THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE WEATHER ZONES 284.

* TIMING...ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS 
  MONDAY MORNING. THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE 
  TO SCATTERED MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

* RAINFALL POTENTIAL...THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE LITTLE OR
  NO RAINFALL INITIALLY. HOWEVER AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH OF 
  RAIN IS POSSIBLE UNDERNEATH THE CORES OF THUNDERSTORMS BY 
  MONDAY EVENING. 

* IMPACTS...IN ADDITION TO LIGHTNING POSSIBLY STARTING FIRES IN 
  DRIER LOCATIONS...GUSTY AND ERRATIC WINDS ARE LIKELY NEAR THE 
  STORMS. THIS WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE SPREAD IF 
  FIRE STARTS OCCUR. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

&&

$$

CAZ285-141000-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0001.120514T1300Z-120515T0800Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0001.120514T1300Z-120515T0600Z/
MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
251 PM PDT SUN MAY 13 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 PM PDT MONDAY FOR
SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONE 285 IN
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONE
285...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 11 PM PDT MONDAY. THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 285

* TIMING...ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS 
  MONDAY MORNING. THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE 
  TO SCATTERED MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

* RAINFALL POTENTIAL...THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE LITTLE OR
  NO RAINFALL INITIALLY. HOWEVER AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH OF 
  RAIN IS POSSIBLE UNDERNEATH THE CORES OF THUNDERSTORMS BY EARLY 
  MONDAY EVENING. 

* IMPACTS...IN ADDITION TO LIGHTNING POSSIBLY STARTING FIRES IN 
  DRY LOCATIONS...GUSTY AND ERRATIC WINDS ARE LIKELY NEAR THE 
  STORMS. THIS WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE SPREAD IF 
  FIRE STARTS OCCUR. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

&&

$$
FB

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
4 follow-up statements
874 
WWUS86 KMFR 140951
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
251 AM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

CAZ284-285-142200-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0001.120514T1300Z-120515T0600Z/
SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MT
SHASTA-MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
251 AM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO
11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AND DRY FUELS
FOR FIRE ZONE 284 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE WEATHER ZONES 284.

* TIMING...ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS 
  MONDAY MORNING. THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE 
  TO SCATTERED MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

* RAINFALL POTENTIAL...THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE LITTLE OR 
  NO RAINFALL INITIALLY. HOWEVER AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH OF 
  RAIN IS POSSIBLE UNDERNEATH THE CORES OF THUNDERSTORMS BY 
  MONDAY EVENING.

* IMPACTS...IN ADDITION TO LIGHTNING POSSIBLY STARTING FIRES IN 
  DRIER LOCATIONS...GUSTY AND ERRATIC WINDS ARE LIKELY NEAR THE 
  STORMS. THIS WILL INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE SPREAD IF 
  FIRE STARTS OCCUR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

&&

$$


VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
847 
WWUS86 KMFR 141230
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
530 AM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

CAZ284-285-150000-
/O.EXT.KMFR.FW.W.0001.120514T1800Z-120515T0600Z/
SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MT
SHASTA-MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
530 AM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY FUELS FOR
FIRE ZONES 284 AND 285 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
11 PM PDT THIS EVENING. 

* AREAS AFFECTED: FIRE WEATHER ZONES 284 AND 285...ESPECIALLY THE
  HIGHER TERRAIN AREAS AND EAST SLOPES.

* TIMING...ALTHOUGH IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ISOLATED DRY THUNDERSTORMS
  THIS MORNING...IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT THUNDERSTORMS WILL BEGIN
  THIS AFTERNOON PERSISTING INTO THIS EVENING. ISOLATED
  THUNDERSTORMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO INCREASE TO SCATTERED COVERAGE
  AFTER 2 PM PDT...PERSISTING INTO THIS EVENING.

* RAINFALL POTENTIAL...INITIALLY...THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE
  LITTLE OR NO RAINFALL. LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AROUND A
  TENTH OF AN INCH OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE UNDERNEATH THE CORES OF
  THUNDERSTORMS BY MONDAY EVENING. SOME THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY 
  TO PRODUCE HAIL.

* STORM MOTION...STORM MOTION IS LIKELY TO BE TO THE NORTHWEST AND
  WEST AT 20 TO 30 MPH INITIALLY...TRANSITIONING TO SOUTHWEST 20
  TO 30 MPH THIS EVENING.


* IMPACTS...IN ADDITION TO LIGHTNING POSSIBLY STARTING FIRES IN
  DRIER LOCATIONS...ERRATIC WINDS COULD GUST INTO THE 30 TO 40 MPH
  RANGE IN AND NEAR THE THUNDERSTORMS. THIS WILL INCREASE THE
  POTENTIAL FOR FIRE SPREAD IF FIRE STARTS OCCUR.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

&&

$$

BTL

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
883 
WWUS86 KMFR 142321
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
421 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

CAZ284-285-150600-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120515T0600Z/
SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MT
SHASTA-MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
421 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONES
284 AND 285 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

* AREAS AFFECTED: FIRE WEATHER ZONES 284 AND 285...ESPECIALLY 
  THE HIGHER TERRAIN AREAS AND EAST SLOPES. 

* TIMING...THUNDERSTORMS JUST SOUTH OF THE AREA MAY DRIFT INTO THE
  AREA THIS EVENING.

* RAINFALL POTENTIAL...A TENTH OF AN INCH OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE
  UNDERNEATH THE CORES OF THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING. SOME
  THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY TO PRODUCE HAIL.

* STORM MOTION...STORM MOTION WILL BE TO THE NORTHWEST AND WEST AT
  20 TO 30 MPH.

* IMPACTS...IN ADDITION TO LIGHTNING POSSIBLY STARTING FIRES IN 
  DRIER LOCATIONS...ERRATIC WINDS COULD GUST INTO THE 30 TO 40 
  MPH RANGE IN AND NEAR THE THUNDERSTORMS. THIS WILL INCREASE 
  THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE SPREAD IF FIRE STARTS OCCUR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL
CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

&&

$$


VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
932 
WWUS86 KMFR 150242
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
742 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012


CAZ284-285-150345-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120515T0600Z/
SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MT
SHASTA-MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
742 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH
DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONES 284 AND 285 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS CANCELLED THE RED
FLAG WARNING. 

THE ATMOSPHERE IS STABILIZING AND THE THREAT FOR THUNDERSTORMS HAS 
DIMINISHED.

$$

SK

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in California, 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.