Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Phoenix, AZ

March 5, 20125 counties in Arizona; Imperial County, Riverside County, California

NWS Phoenix, AZ issued this red flag warning at Mar 5, 2012, 2:00 PM MST for 5 counties in Arizona; Imperial County, Riverside County, California. It took effect at Mar 6, 2012, 12:00 PM MST. It was in force for 8 hr. 24 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 5, 2012, 2:00 PM MST (21:00 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 6, 2012, 12:00 PM MST
Expired
Mar 6, 2012, 8:00 PM MST
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Phoenix, AZ

Counties Gila County, AZ, La Paz County, AZ, Maricopa County, AZ, Pinal County, AZ, Yuma County, AZ, Imperial County, CA, Riverside County, CA

The radar

The Yuma radar (KYUX), 149 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:05 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 6, 2:04 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 615 Ne Thousand Palms, CA
Mar 6, 2:04 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 675 Ne Thousand Palms, CASKY VALLEY MESONET RECORDED A WIND GUST OF 67 MPH AROUND 104 PM PST.
Mar 6, 3:26 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 4918 Nnw Coyote Wells, CAFISH CREEK MOUNTAINS
Mar 6, 3:47 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 351 E Goodyear, AZKGYR
Mar 6, 3:55 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 365 Ssw Gila Bend, AZKGBN
Mar 6, 3:56 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 453 N Seeley, CAKNJK EL CENTRO NAVAL AIRFIELD
Mar 6, 4:00 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 613 Nne Cathedral City, CABETWEEN 2 PM AND 3 PM EDOM HILL REPORTED A WIND GUST OF 61 MPH.
Mar 6, 4:00 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 755 Ne Thousand Palms, CABETWEEN 2 PM AND 3 PM PST SKY VALLEY RECORDED A 75 MPH WIND GUST.
Mar 6, 4:11 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 356 Nnw Guadalupe, AZKPHX SKY HARBOR ASOS
Mar 6, 4:30 PM MSTHIGH SUST WINDS 625 Ne Thousand Palms, CAAT 344 PM WINDS WERE SUSTAINED 62 GUSTING TO 63 MPH. BETWEEN 2 AND 3 PM WINDS GUSTED TO 75 MPH.
Mar 6, 4:31 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 369 E Peoria, AZKDVT ASOS
Mar 6, 4:47 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 354 Ene Litchfield Park, AZKGEU
Mar 6, 4:47 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 394 Ese Chandler, AZKCHD
Mar 6, 4:48 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 321 W Waddell, AZLUKE AIR FORCE BASE. ALSO HAD SAME GUST AT 343 PM
Mar 6, 5:15 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 355 Nne Hassayampa, AZKBXK
Mar 6, 5:30 PM MSTHIGH SUST WINDS 625 Ne Thousand Palms, CAAT 344 PM WINDS WERE SUSTAINED 62 GUSTING TO 63 MPH. BETWEEN 2 AND 3 PM WINDS GUSTED TO 75 MPH.
Mar 6, 5:47 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 353 E Higley, AZKIWA MESA GATEWAY
Mar 6, 5:55 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 323 N Mesa, AZKFFZ FALCON FIELD
Mar 6, 5:55 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 355 Nnw Casa Grande, AZKCGZ. ALSO HAD SAME GUST AT 515 PM
Mar 6, 6:38 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 451 W Imperial, CAKIPL ASOS
Mar 6, 6:52 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 541 Nne Nicholls Warm Spr, CAKBLH ASOS
Mar 6, 7:10 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 522 W Ocotillo, CASUNRISE MESONET SITE
Mar 6, 7:27 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 424 S Martinez Lake, CASQUAW LAKE
Mar 6, 8:01 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 536 Nne Lost Horse-Keys V, CALOST HORSE RAWS

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Yuma Prvg Ground, AZ (K1Y7), launched 12:00Z, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 131 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, Yuma Prvg Ground, AZ at 12:00Z on 2012-03-05Temperature 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, Yuma Prvg Ground, AZ at 12:00Z on 2012-03-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 13 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
4170 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
17 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.

871 
WWUS85 KPSR 052100
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
200 PM MST MON MAR 5 2012

AZZ131>133-CAZ231-060500-
/O.UPG.KPSR.FW.A.0002.120306T1900Z-120307T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KPSR.FW.W.0003.120306T1900Z-120307T0300Z/
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 131                                    
YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 132                                    
SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS-
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 133                                    
SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY/TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS-
CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 231                                 
LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-
200 PM MST MON MAR 5 2012 /100 PM PST MON MAR 5 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST /11 AM PST/ TO 8 PM
MST /7 PM PST/ TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
AND VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY...THE
SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA DESERTS...THE TONTO NATIONAL
FOREST FOOTHILLS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND VERY HIGH FIRE
DANGER...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST /11 AM PST/ TO 8 PM MST /7
PM PST/ TUESDAY. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT...AND
HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

* AFFECTED AREA...THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY...THE SOUTH-CENTRAL
  AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS OF ARIZONA...THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST
  FOOTHILLS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. STRONGER
  WINDS AND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS HIGHER MOUNTAIN
  SLOPES AND RIDGES OF THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AND LA PAZ
  COUNTY.

* TIMING...STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED TO PEAK TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND
  CONTINUE TO BLOW INTO THE EVENING HOURS.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 9 PERCENT. 

* IMPACTS...VEGETATIVE FUELS ARE VERY DRY AND FIRE DANGER IS VERY
  HIGH. THESE CONDITIONS...COMBINED WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND
  STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS FIRE WEATHER
  CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX IS ON THE INTERNET AT

WEATHER.GOV/PHOENIX

MEYERS
2 follow-up statements
065 
WWUS85 KPSR 060430
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
930 PM MST MON MAR 5 2012

AZZ131>133-CAZ231-061400-
/O.CON.KPSR.FW.W.0003.120306T1900Z-120307T0300Z/
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 131                                    
YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 132                                    
SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS-
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 133                                    
SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY/TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS-
CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 231                                 
LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-
930 PM MST MON MAR 5 2012 /830 PM PST MON MAR 5 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST /11 AM PST/
TO 8 PM MST /7 PM PST/ TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY AND VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY...THE
SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA DESERTS...THE TONTO NATIONAL
FOREST FOOTHILLS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST /11 AM PST/ TO
8 PM MST /7 PM PST/ TUESDAY. 

* AFFECTED AREA...THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY...THE SOUTH- 
  CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS OF ARIZONA...THE TONTO NATIONAL 
  FOREST FOOTHILLS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. STRONGER
  WINDS AND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS HIGHER MOUNTAIN
  SLOPES AND RIDGES OF THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AND LA PAZ
  COUNTY.
 
* TIMING...STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED TO PEAK TUESDAY AFTERNOON 
  AND CONTINUE TO BLOW INTO THE EVENING HOURS. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 10 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...VEGETATIVE FUELS ARE VERY DRY AND FIRE DANGER IS 
  VERY HIGH. THESE CONDITIONS...COMBINED WITH LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS 
  FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX IS ON THE INTERNET AT

WEATHER.GOV/PHOENIX
754 
WWUS85 KPSR 061353
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX AZ
653 AM MST TUE MAR 6 2012

AZZ131>133-CAZ231-070300-
/O.CON.KPSR.FW.W.0003.120306T1900Z-120307T0300Z/
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 131                                    
YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 132                                    
SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS-
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 133                                    
SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY/TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS-
CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 231                                 
LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-
653 AM MST TUE MAR 6 2012 /553 AM PST TUE MAR 6 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST /11 AM PST/
TODAY TO 8 PM MST /7 PM PST/ THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS...LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER THE LOWER COLORADO
RIVER VALLEY...THE SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA DESERTS...
THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GILA
COUNTY...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST /11 AM PST/
TODAY TO 8 PM MST /7 PM PST/ THIS EVENING. 

* AFFECTED AREA...THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY...THE SOUTH- 
  CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST DESERTS OF ARIZONA...THE TONTO NATIONAL 
  FOREST FOOTHILLS AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY. 

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. 
  STRONGER WINDS AND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS 
  HIGHER MOUNTAIN SLOPES AND RIDGES OF THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER 
  VALLEY AND LA PAZ COUNTY. 

* TIMING...STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED TO PEAK TUESDAY AFTERNOON 
  AND CONTINUE TO BLOW INTO THE EVENING HOURS. 

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AS LOW AS 10 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...VEGETATIVE FUELS ARE VERY DRY AND FIRE DANGER IS 
  VERY HIGH. THESE CONDITIONS...COMBINED WITH LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS 
  FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND FIRE CREWS IN THE
FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

&&

$$

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PHOENIX IS ON THE INTERNET AT

WEATHER.GOV/PHOENIX

MEYERS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Phoenix, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 5, 1:18 PM MSTHigh Wind WarningPSR35 hr
Mar 5, 1:18 PM MSTWind AdvisoryPSR35 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.