Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Medford, OR

July 18, 2012Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Jul 18, 2012, 1:50 PM PDT for Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon. It took effect at Jul 19, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 15 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
Jul 18, 2012, 1:50 PM PDT (20:50 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 19, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Jul 20, 2012, 4:34 AM PDT
In force
15 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Harney County, OR, Klamath County, OR, Lake County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 213 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:50 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, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 209 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 2012-07-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 15 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, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2012-07-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 11 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
15 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-99 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
672 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
50 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.

743 
WWUS86 KMFR 182050
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
150 PM PDT WED JUL 18 2012

.A PERSISTENT AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OFF THE SOUTHWEST OREGON COAST
WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW MOISTURE NORTHWARD THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THIS WILL BRING SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS TO NORTHERN PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 624 AND
625.

ORZ624-625-191300-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0004.120719T2100Z-120720T1200Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
150 PM PDT WED JUL 18 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THURSDAY TO 5 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING WITH CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR FIRE
ZONES 624 AND 625...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THURSDAY TO 5 AM PDT
FRIDAY. 

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONES 624 AND 625 INCLUDING THE FREMONT AND
  WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTS.  

* THUNDERSTORMS...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THURSDAY
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY NIGHT.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...GUSTS TO 30 TO 40 MPH POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...LIGHTNING MAY INDUCE NUMEROUS NEW FIRE IGNITIONS. 

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.

&&

$$

SPILDE

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
4 follow-up statements
051 
WWUS86 KMFR 182328 CCA
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
423 PM PDT WED JUL 18 2012

.A PERSISTENT AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OFF THE SOUTHWEST OREGON COAST
WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW MOISTURE NORTHWARD THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THIS WILL BRING SCATTERED
THUNDERSTORMS TO NORTHERN PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 624 AND
625.

ORZ624-625-191545-
/O.COR.KMFR.FW.W.0004.120719T2100Z-120720T1200Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
423 PM PDT WED JUL 18 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THURSDAY TO 5 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING WITH CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR FIRE
ZONES 624 AND 625...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THURSDAY TO 5 AM PDT
FRIDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA: NORTHERN PORTIONS OF FIRE ZONES 624 AND 625
  ONLY...MAINLY NORTH OF HIGHWAY 140...INCLUDING THE FREMONT-
  WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST.

* THUNDERSTORMS...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THURSDAY
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY NIGHT.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...GUSTS TO 30 TO 40 MPH POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...LIGHTNING MAY INDUCE NUMEROUS NEW FIRE IGNITIONS.

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.

&&

$$

SPILDE

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
747 
WWUS86 KMFR 191300
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
600 AM PDT THU JUL 19 2012

ORZ624-625-200100-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0004.120719T2100Z-120720T1200Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
600 AM PDT THU JUL 19 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
5 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING WITH CRITICALLY DRY FUELS
FOR FIRE ZONES 624 AND 625...

* AFFECTED AREA: NORTHERN PORTIONS OF FIRE ZONES 624 AND 625 
  ONLY...MAINLY NORTH OF HIGHWAY 140...INCLUDING THE FREMONT- 
  WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST.

* THUNDERSTORMS...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...GUSTS TO 30 TO 40 MPH POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...LIGHTNING MAY INDUCE NUMEROUS NEW FIRE IGNITIONS.

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.

&&

$$

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
471 
WWUS86 KMFR 192131
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
231 PM PDT THU JUL 19 2012

ORZ624-625-201200-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120720T1200Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
231 PM PDT THU JUL 19 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR
ABUNDANT LIGHTNING WITH CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONES
624 AND 625...

* AFFECTED AREA: NORTHERN PORTIONS OF FIRE ZONES 624 AND 625 
  ONLY...MAINLY NORTH OF HIGHWAY 140...INCLUDING THE FREMONT- 
  WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST.

* THUNDERSTORMS...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOP LATE THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING THEN CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT.

* OUTFLOW WINDS...GUSTS TO 30 TO 40 MPH POSSIBLE.

* IMPACTS...LIGHTNING MAY INDUCE NUMEROUS NEW FIRE IGNITIONS.

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.

&&

$$

SPILDE

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD
822 
WWUS86 KMFR 201134
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
434 AM PDT FRI JUL 20 2012

ORZ624-625-201245-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-120720T1200Z/
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-
434 AM PDT FRI JUL 20 2012

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

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

SCATTERED SHOWERS WILL MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHERN PORTION OF FIRE
ZONE 624 THIS MORNING. WILL LIGHTNING CANNOT BE RULED OUT...ANY
STRIKES WILL BE ISOLATED. LIGHTNING IS NO LONGER EXPECTED AT ALL
IN FIRE ZONE 625. ACTIVITY WILL DIMINISH IN ALL AREAS BY MID
MORNING.

$$

VISIT US AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MEDFORD

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 17, 5:23 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFR52 min
Jul 17, 6:12 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRDouglas48 min
Jul 18, 2:07 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRJosephine23 min
Jul 18, 3:55 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRCurry35 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 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.