Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 1, NWS Las Vegas, NV

March 1, 2012Mohave County, Arizona; Clark County, Nevada; San Bernardino County, California

NWS Las Vegas, NV issued this red flag warning at Mar 1, 2012, 4:51 AM MST for Mohave County, Arizona; Clark County, Nevada; San Bernardino County, California. It took effect at Mar 2, 2012, 11:00 AM MST. It was in force for 9 hr. 1 report 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 1, 2012, 4:51 AM MST (11:51 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 2, 2012, 11:00 AM MST
Expired
Mar 2, 2012, 8:00 PM MST
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Las Vegas, NV

Counties Mohave County, AZ, San Bernardino County, CA, Clark County, NV

The radar

The Las Vegas radar (KESX), 15 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:52 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 2, 11:43 AM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 591 Sw Crestline, CASUSTAINED WINDS OVER 40 MPH AND GUSTS OVER 58 MPH SINCE 0648 PST.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Las Vegas, NV (KVEF), launched 00:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 101 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, Las Vegas, NV at 00:00Z on 2012-03-01Temperature 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, Las Vegas, NV at 00:00Z on 2012-03-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 92 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
3133 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
92 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
120 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.

270 
WWUS85 KVEF 011151
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
351 AM PST THU MAR 1 2012

.STRONG NORTH WINDS WILL USHER VERY DRY AIR INTO THE COLORADO
RIVER VALLEY ON FRIDAY.

AZZ101-CAZ229-NVZ466-012300-
/O.UPG.KVEF.FW.A.0001.120302T1800Z-120303T0400Z/
/O.NEW.KVEF.FW.W.0001.120302T1800Z-120303T0300Z/
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE-LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY-
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE-
351 AM PST THU MAR 1 2012 /451 AM MST THU MAR 1 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST /11 AM MST/ TO 7 PM
PST /8 PM MST/ FRIDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101 - 229 AND 466...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR THE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST /11 AM MST/
TO 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ FRIDAY. THIS REPLACES THE FIRE WEATHER
WATCH.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 101 LAKE MEAD 
  NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE. IN CALIFORNIA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  229 LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  466 LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL PICK UP EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...PEAK IN THE
  AFTERNOON...AND DECREASE IN THE EVENING. RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL
  DROP BELOW 15 PERCENT BY NOON...AND SHOULD BEGIN TO RECOVER LATE
  IN THE EVENING.

* WIND...NORTH WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...7 TO 12 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW HUMIDITY AND DRY
  FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR ARE IMMINENT. A COMBINATION OF STRONG
WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE
EXTREME FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

&&

$$

MORGAN

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/LASVEGAS
4 follow-up statements
888 
WWUS85 KVEF 012228
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
228 PM PST THU MAR 1 2012

.STRONG NORTH WINDS WILL USHER VERY DRY AIR INTO THE COLORADO
RIVER VALLEY ON FRIDAY.

AZZ101-CAZ229-NVZ466-021200-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0001.120302T1800Z-120303T0300Z/
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE-LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY-
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE-
228 PM PST THU MAR 1 2012 /328 PM MST THU MAR 1 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST /11 AM MST/
TO 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ FRIDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101...229 AND 466...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR THE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST /11 AM MST/
TO 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ FRIDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 101 LAKE MEAD 
  NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE. IN CALIFORNIA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  229 LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  466 LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE. 

* TIMING...WINDS WILL PICK UP EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...PEAK IN THE 
  AFTERNOON...AND DECREASE IN THE EVENING. RELATIVE HUMIDITY 
  WILL DROP BELOW 15 PERCENT BY NOON...AND SHOULD BEGIN TO 
  RECOVER LATE IN THE EVENING. 

* WIND...NORTH WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...7 TO 12 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW HUMIDITY AND 
  DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE 
  BEHAVIOR. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR ARE IMMINENT. A COMBINATION OF STRONG
WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE
EXTREME FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/LASVEGAS
988 
WWUS85 KVEF 021245
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
445 AM PST FRI MAR 2 2012

AZZ101-CAZ229-NVZ466-022000-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0001.120302T1800Z-120303T0300Z/
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE-LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY-
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE-
445 AM PST FRI MAR 2 2012 /545 AM MST FRI MAR 2 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST /11 AM MST/
THIS MORNING TO 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS
AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101...229 AND
466...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM PST /11 AM MST/
THIS MORNING TO 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ THIS EVENING FOR COLORADO
RIVER VALLEY DUE TO STRONG NORTH WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 101 LAKE MEAD 
  NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE. IN CALIFORNIA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  229 LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  466 LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE. 

* TIMING...WINDS WILL PEAK IN THE LATE MORNING THROUGH MID
  AFTERNOON THEN DECREASE IN THE EVENING. RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL
  DROP BELOW 15 PERCENT BY NOON...AND SHOULD BEGIN TO RECOVER LATE
  IN THE EVENING.

* WIND...NORTH WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...7 TO 12 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW HUMIDITY AND 
  DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE 
  BEHAVIOR. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR ARE IMMINENT. PLEASE ADVISE THE
APPROPRIATE FIRE WEATHER OFFICIALS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG
WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/LASVEGAS
305 
WWUS85 KVEF 021933
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
1133 AM PST FRI MAR 2 2012

AZZ101-CAZ229-NVZ466-030300-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120303T0300Z/
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE-LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY-
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE-
1133 AM PST FRI MAR 2 2012 /1233 PM MST FRI MAR 2 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/
THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 101...229 AND 466...

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/
THIS EVENING FOR THE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY DUE TO STRONG NORTH
WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 101 LAKE MEAD 
  NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE. IN CALIFORNIA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  229 LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
  466 LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE. 

* TIMING...GUSTY NORTH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THIS
  AFTERNOON THEN DECREASE THIS EVENING. RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL
  REMAIN BELOW 15 PERCENT THIS AFTERNOON AND BEGIN TO RECOVER
  LATE IN THE EVENING.

* WIND...NORTH WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 45 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...7 TO 12 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW HUMIDITY AND 
  DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR EXTREME FIRE 
  BEHAVIOR. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING OR ARE IMMINENT. PLEASE ADVISE THE
APPROPRIATE FIRE WEATHER OFFICIALS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG
WARNING.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/LASVEGAS
139 
WWUS85 KVEF 030248
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
648 PM PST FRI MAR 2 2012

AZZ101-CAZ229-NVZ466-030400-
/O.EXP.KVEF.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-120303T0300Z/
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-AZ SIDE-LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY-
LAKE MEAD NRA/COLORADO RIVER-NV SIDE-
648 PM PST FRI MAR 2 2012 /748 PM MST FRI MAR 2 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ THIS
EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 101...229 AND 466...

THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM PST /8 PM MST/ THIS
EVENING FOR THE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY. 

AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS INDICATE WIND SPEEDS ARE ON THE
DECREASE WHILE RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES ARE ON THE RISE. THE RED
FLAG WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/LASVEGAS

PIERCE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Las Vegas, NV issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 1, 4:04 PM MSTWind AdvisoryVEFMohave24 hr
Feb 29, 10:17 PM MSTWind AdvisoryVEFEsmeralda, Nye7 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 2012Red Flag Warnings in Nevada, 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.