Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 14, NWS Medford, OR

August 27, 2012Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, California

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Aug 27, 2012, 2:12 PM PDT for Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, California. It took effect at Aug 28, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 6 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
Aug 27, 2012, 2:12 PM PDT (21:12 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 28, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Aug 28, 2012, 7:55 PM PDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Modoc County, CA, Harney County, OR, Klamath County, OR, Lake County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 194 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:16 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, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 195 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 2012-08-27Temperature 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 2012-08-27The 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
1005 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
237 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.

415 
WWUS86 KMFR 272112
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
212 PM PDT MON AUG 27 2012

...ANOTHER ROUND OF VERY GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES IS
EXPECTED TO AFFECT FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285...625...AND 624 TUESDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

CAZ284-272215-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.A.0013.120828T2200Z-120829T0300Z/
SISKIYOU COUNTY FROM THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS EAST AND SOUTH TO MT
SHASTA-
212 PM PDT MON AUG 27 2012

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG
WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE ZONE 284...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS CANCELLED THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH. 

GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES WILL IMPACT FIRE ZONE 284 TUESDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING...BUT RED FLAG CRITERIA IS NOT EXPECTED TO
BE REACHED.

$$

ORZ625-280915-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0013.120828T2200Z-120829T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0014.120828T2100Z-120829T0300Z/
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
212 PM PDT MON AUG 27 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE
ZONE 625...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY. THE
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 625...ALONG AND NEAR THE RIDGES.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 25 TO 35 MPH
  ARE EXPECTED ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITY WILL BE 5 TO 10 PERCENT TUESDAY
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY CREATE THE
  POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.


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.

&&

$$

ORZ624-280915-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0013.120828T2200Z-120829T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0014.120828T2100Z-120829T0300Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
212 PM PDT MON AUG 27 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE
ZONE 624...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY. THE
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 624 

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 TO
  30 MPH TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITY WILL BE AROUND 10 TO 15 PERCENT
  TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY CREATE THE 
  POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ285-280915-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0013.120828T2200Z-120829T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0014.120828T2100Z-120829T0300Z/
MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
212 PM PDT MON AUG 27 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE
ZONE 285...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY. THE
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 285 

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS 20 TO 30
  MPH TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITY WILL BE 5 TO 15 PERCENT TUESDAY
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY CREATE THE
  POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH.

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.

&&

$$

SK
VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
3 follow-up statements
824 
WWUS86 KMFR 280911
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
211 AM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...VERY GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES ACROSS FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 624...625...AND 285 THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...

MODERATE TO STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL MIX DOWN FROM ALOFT THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN
LINGERING ALONG THE COAST BEGINS TO MOVE INLAND. THESE MODERATE TO
STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH LOW TO VERY LOW RELATIVE 
HUMIDITIES TO CREATE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ANY FIRES TO BE WIND
DRIVEN DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.

ORZ625-282115-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.120828T2100Z-120829T0300Z/
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
211 AM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE ZONE 625...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 625...PRIMARILY ALONG AND NEAR THE
  RIDGES.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 25 TO 35 MPH
  ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL BE 5 TO 10 PERCENT
  THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...THESE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES CREATE THE
  POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE WIND DRIVEN FIRE GROWTH.

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.

&&

$$

ORZ624-282115-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.120828T2100Z-120829T0300Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
211 AM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE ZONE 624...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 624.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 TO
  30 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITIES WILL BE AROUND 10 TO 15 PERCENT THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...THESE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL CREATE
  THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE WIND DRIVEN FIRE GROWTH.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ285-282115-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.120828T2100Z-120829T0300Z/
MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
211 AM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE ZONE 285...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 285.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS 20 TO 30
  MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITIES WILL BE 5 TO 15 PERCENT THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...THESE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL
  CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE WIND DRIVEN FIRE GROWTH.

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/SK

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
103 
WWUS86 KMFR 282112
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
212 PM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

MODERATE TO STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL MIX DOWN FROM ALOFT THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING AS THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN
LINGERING ALONG THE COAST BEGINS TO MOVE INLAND. THESE MODERATE
TO STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL COMBINE WITH LOW TO VERY LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES TO CREATE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ANY FIRES TO BE WIND
DRIVEN DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.

ORZ625-290300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120829T0300Z/
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
212 PM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
FOR FIRE ZONE 625...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 625...PRIMARILY ALONG AND NEAR THE 
  RIDGES.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 25 TO 35 
  MPH ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL BE 5 TO 10 
  PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* IMPACTS...THESE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES CREATE
  THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE WIND DRIVEN FIRE GROWTH. 

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.

&&

$$

ORZ624-290300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120829T0300Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
212 PM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
FOR FIRE ZONE 624...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 624.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 
  TO30 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITIES WILL BE AROUND 10 TO 15 PERCENT
  THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* IMPACTS...THESE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL
  CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE WIND DRIVEN FIRE GROWTH. 

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.

&&

$$

CAZ285-290300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120829T0300Z/
MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
212 PM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR
FIRE ZONE 285...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 285.

* WIND...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL BE 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS 20 TO
  30 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

* HUMIDITY...MINIMUM HUMIDITIES WILL BE 5 TO 15 PERCENT THIS 
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS...THESE GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL 
  CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSIVE WIND DRIVEN FIRE GROWTH.

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
660 
WWUS86 KMFR 290255
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
755 PM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

CAZ285-ORZ624-625-290400-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.W.0014.000000T0000Z-120829T0300Z/
MODOC COUNTY EXCEPT FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY-
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
755 PM PDT TUE AUG 28 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR FOR FIRE ZONES 285...624 AND
625...

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

WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE AND HUMIDITIES WILL RISE THROUGH
THE EVENING...THUS THE RED FLAG WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

WRIGHT

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD

The office that day

Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 27, 1:56 PM PDTFrost AdvisoryMFRKlamath, Lake18 hr
Aug 27, 1:56 PM PDTFreeze WatchMFRKlamath, Lake12 hr
Aug 27, 1:56 PM PDTFreeze WarningMFRKlamath, Lake18 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2012Red 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.