Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2012

Red Flag Warning 11, NWS Las Vegas, NV

May 14, 2012Mohave County, Arizona; Lincoln County, Nevada

NWS Las Vegas, NV issued this red flag warning at May 14, 2012, 2:26 PM MST for Mohave County, Arizona; Lincoln County, Nevada. It took effect at May 15, 2012, 12:00 PM MST. It was in force for 8 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 14, 2012, 2:26 PM MST (21:26 UTC)
In effect from
May 15, 2012, 12:00 PM MST
Expired
May 15, 2012, 8:00 PM MST
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Las Vegas, NV

Counties Mohave County, AZ, Lincoln County, NV

The radar

The Las Vegas radar (KESX), 120 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:31 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

Las Vegas, NV (KVEF), launched 12:00Z, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 114 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 12:00Z on 2012-05-14Temperature 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 12:00Z on 2012-05-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -42 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
6413 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-42 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
39 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.

501 
WWUS85 KVEF 142126
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
226 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

.A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL
CONTINUE TO PRODUCE GUSTY SOUTH WINDS TO THE OWENS VALLEY AND
ESMERALDA COUNTY. AS THE LOW MOVES INTO NORTHERN NEVADA
TUESDAY...WINDS WILL BECOME STRONG ACROSS MUCH OF LINCOLN AND
MOHAVE COUNTIES.

AZZ102-150300-
/O.UPG.KVEF.FW.A.0006.120515T1900Z-120516T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KVEF.FW.W.0011.120515T1900Z-120516T0300Z/
NORTHWEST DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU-
226 PM MST MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MST TUESDAY FOR
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
102...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MST TUESDAY. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 102 NORTHWEST
  DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TUESDAY MORNING AND WILL BE
  STRONG AND GUSTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING BEFORE
  DIMINISHING BY 8 PM.

* WIND...SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...SINGLE DIGITS MOST OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS THAT ARE 
  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.

&&

$$

NVZ461-150300-
/O.NEW.KVEF.FW.W.0011.120515T1900Z-120516T0300Z/
LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH-
226 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
461...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA...IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 461 LINCOLN 
  COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TUESDAY MORNING AND WILL BE
  STRONG AND GUSTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING BEFORE
  DIMINISHING BY 8 PM.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 WITH GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH. 

* HUMIDITY...SINGLE DIGITS MUCH OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS THAT ARE 
  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.

&&

$$

CAZ226-NVZ460-150300-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0010.000000T0000Z-120515T0300Z/
OWENS VALLEY/SOUTHERN INYO FOREST-
ESMERALDA AND NYE COUNTY DESERTS/CNC DISPATCH-
226 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
226 AND 460...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN CALIFORNIA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 226 OWENS 
  VALLEY/SOUTHERN INYO FOREST. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 460 
  ESMERALDA AND NYE COUNTY DESERTS/CNC DISPATCH.

* TIMING...STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY THIS
  EVENING BEFORE DECREASING BY 8 PM.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...5 TO 10 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS THAT ARE 
  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
4 follow-up statements
607 
WWUS85 KVEF 150237
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
737 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

.A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO NORTHERN NEVADA TUESDAY WILL
BRING STRONG WINDS TO MUCH OF LINCOLN AND MOHAVE COUNTIES.

CAZ226-NVZ460-150345-
/O.EXP.KVEF.FW.W.0010.000000T0000Z-120515T0300Z/
OWENS VALLEY/SOUTHERN INYO FOREST-
ESMERALDA AND NYE COUNTY DESERTS/CNC DISPATCH-
737 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
226 AND 460...

WINDS HAD BEGUN TO SUBSIDE LATE THIS AFTERNOON. ALTHOUGH RELATIVE
HUMIDITY WILL REMAIN LOW THROUGH MIDNIGHT...THE THREAT FOR
WIDESPREAD WIND GUSTS OF 35 MPH OR GREATER HAD ENDED.
THEREFORE...THE RED FLAG WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

$$

AZZ102-NVZ461-151100-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0011.120515T1900Z-120516T0300Z/
NORTHWEST DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU-LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH-
737 PM PDT MON MAY 14 2012 /737 PM MST MON MAY 14 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON PDT /NOON MST/ TO
8 PM PDT /8 PM MST/ TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 102 AND 461...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 102 NORTHWEST 
  DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 461 
  LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TUESDAY MORNING AND WILL BE 
  STRONG AND GUSTY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING BEFORE 
  DIMINISHING BY 8 PM. 

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...SINGLE DIGITS MUCH OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS THAT ARE 
  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
892 
WWUS85 KVEF 151036
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
336 AM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012

.A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NEVADA
TODAY WILL BRING STRONG WINDS TO MUCH OF LINCOLN AND MOHAVE
COUNTIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

AZZ102-NVZ461-152200-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0011.120515T1900Z-120516T0300Z/
NORTHWEST DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU-LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH-
336 AM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012 /336 AM MST TUE MAY 15 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON PDT /NOON MST/
TODAY TO 8 PM PDT /8 PM MST/ THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND
LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 102 AND 461...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 102 NORTHWEST 
  DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 461 
  LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE THIS MORNING WITH THE
  STRONGEST WINDS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...BEFORE
  DECREASING BY 8 PM.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...SINGLE DIGITS MUCH OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS THAT ARE 
  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
016 
WWUS85 KVEF 152139
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
239 PM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012

.A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS CENTRAL NEVADA WILL CONTINUE
TO BRING STRONG WINDS TO MUCH OF LINCOLN AND MOHAVE COUNTIES
THROUGH THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EARLY EVENING.

AZZ102-NVZ461-160300-
/O.CON.KVEF.FW.W.0011.000000T0000Z-120516T0300Z/
NORTHWEST DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU-LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH-
239 PM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012 /239 PM MST TUE MAY 15 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT /8 PM MST/
THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 102 AND 461...

* AFFECTED AREA...IN ARIZONA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 102 NORTHWEST 
  DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU. IN NEVADA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 461 
  LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH.

* TIMING...WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EARLY EVENING...BEFORE
  DECREASING BY 8 PM.

* WIND...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH. LOCALIZED
  HIGHER GUSTS IN SOUTH CHANNELED AREAS.

* HUMIDITY...SINGLE DIGITS MUCH OF THE DAY.

* IMPACTS...THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS...LOW RELATIVE 
  HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS WILL CREATE CONDITIONS THAT ARE 
  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
473 
WWUS85 KVEF 160248
RFWVEF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
748 PM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012

AZZ102-NVZ461-160400-
/O.EXP.KVEF.FW.W.0011.000000T0000Z-120516T0300Z/
NORTHWEST DESERTS/NORTHWEST PLATEAU-LINCOLN COUNTY/ELY DISPATCH-
748 PM PDT TUE MAY 15 2012 /748 PM MST TUE MAY 15 2012/

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT /8 PM MST/ THIS
EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 102 AND 461...

WINDS HAD BEGUN TO SUBSIDE EARLY THIS EVENING...SO THE RED FLAG
WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL REMAIN
VERY LOW UNTIL AROUND MIDNIGHT.

$$

MORGAN

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/LASVEGAS

Nearby

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