Alert archive / Alaska / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 8, NWS Fairbanks, AK

June 8, 2017

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this red flag warning at Jun 8, 2017, 12:46 PM AKDT. It was in force for 33 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
Jun 8, 2017, 12:46 PM AKDT (20:46 UTC)
Expired
Jun 9, 2017, 9:47 PM AKDT
In force
33 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

233 
WWAK63 PAFG 082046
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1246 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING
FOR THE MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY, DELTANA, AND THE TANANA FLATS...

AKZ222-090600-
/O.NEW.PAFG.FW.W.0008.170608T2046Z-170609T0600Z/
Middle Tanana Valley-
1246 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING FOR
MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY...

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect until 10 PM AKDT this evening.

* TIMING...Conditions will improve later this evening as winds
  diminish and relative humidity increases.

* WINDS...Northeast 15 to 20 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Highs 78 to 85.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

AKZ223-090600-
/O.NEW.PAFG.FW.W.0008.170608T2046Z-170609T0600Z/
Deltana and Tanana Flats-
1246 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING FOR
DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect until 10 PM AKDT this evening.

* TIMING...Conditions will improve later this evening as winds
  diminish and relative humidity increases.

* WINDS...East 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...77 to 84.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
741 
WWAK63 PAFG 090549
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
949 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING FOR
THE MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY, DELTANA, AND THE TANANA FLATS...

AKZ222-090700-
/O.CAN.PAFG.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-170609T0600Z/
Middle Tanana Valley-
949 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY...

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has cancelled the Red
Flag Warning.

Wind speeds have decreased across the affected area. Hot and dry
conditions are expected again on Friday; however, relative
humidity values will remain above 25 percent. 

$$

AKZ223-091600-
/O.EXT.PAFG.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-170610T0600Z/
Deltana and Tanana Flats-
949 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT FRIDAY FOR
DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

* AFFECTED AREA...From Delta Junction South along the Richardson 
  Highway.
 
* TIMING...Conditions will improve overnight as winds diminish and
  the relative humidity increases. Winds will increase and
  relative humidity values will decrease again Friday afternoon.

* WINDS...Southeast 15 to 25 mph

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...80 to 89.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$
872 
WWAK63 PAFG 091504
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
704 AM AKDT Fri Jun 9 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING FOR
   DELTANA AND THE TANANA FLATS...

AKZ223-100600-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-170610T0600Z/
Deltana and Tanana Flats-
704 AM AKDT Fri Jun 9 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FOR DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

* AFFECTED AREA...From Delta Junction South along the Richardson 
  Highway.

* TIMING...Winds will increase and relative humidity values 
  will decrease this afternoon.

* WINDS...South winds 5 mph will increase to 15 mph this afternoon.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...to 88.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$
000 
WWAK63 PAFG 092201 
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
201 PM AKDT Fri Jun 9 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS EVENING FOR
DELTANA AND THE TANANA FLATS...

AKZ223-100600-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-170610T0600Z/
Deltana and Tanana Flats-
201 PM AKDT Fri Jun 9 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FOR DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

* AFFECTED AREA...From Delta Junction South along the Richardson 
  Highway.

* TIMING...Red flag conditions will persist through this evening
           and improve overnight as relative humidity increases.

* WINDS...Northeast winds around 15 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...79 to 88.

* IMPACTS...Rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires will be 
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that conditions are occurring or will
occur which could lead to the development of large and dangerous
fires. It is directed toward fire agencies, and through them, to
the public.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$
481 
WWAK63 PAFG 100547
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
947 PM AKDT Fri Jun 9 2017

AKZ223-100700-
/O.CAN.PAFG.FW.W.0008.000000T0000Z-170610T0600Z/
Deltana and Tanana Flats-
947 PM AKDT Fri Jun 9 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR DELTANA AND TANANA FLATS...

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has cancelled the Red
Flag Warning.

Winds have died down across the area. Temperatures will continue
fall and relative humidity values will continue to rise overnight.
Saturday will be cooler than Friday with higher minimum relative
humidity values. 

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fairbanks, AK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Jun 8, 6:13 AM AKDT, 6 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 8, 6:13 AM AKDT, 6 hours 33 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
613 AM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
Aloft...
A ridge of high pressure stretching from NW Canada across
Northern Alaska will build through Friday and then weaken slowly
this weekend and next week. This will keep conditions generally
hot and dry over the northern and eastern Interior through Fri.
Several weak short waves will move northwest over the west coast
of Alaska through Sat bringing increasing amounts of showers
through Sat.

A short wave trough stretching from Bethel to Chandalar Lake will
move to the Yukon Delta to Howard Pass by 4pm Thu...and to Gambell
to Point Hope by 4am Fri. There are isolated showers associated
with this.

Weak instability in the southwest Interior and West Coast south of
Deering will cause isolated thunderstorms in that area this
afternoon/evening, and again Fri afternoon/evening.

Surface...
Strong high pressure north of the Arctic Coast of Alaska will
persist into the weekend. This is causing widespread stratus along
with fog and flurries over the North Slope from Point Lay
northeast. Stratus and fog will burn off over inland areas during
the day, then move back south and west late at night each day.
This is also causing east winds 20-30 kt across the Arctic Coast
with winds increasing to 35 kt Fri from Point Lay west. It is also
causing NE winds 15g25kt over the Brooks Range.

A 1004 mb low near McGrath will move to the Yukon Delta as a 999
mb low by 4pm Fri, then over Norton Sound on Sat, and then persist
in to Sun. Scattered showers northwest of this low will move
northwest through Sat and becoming more numerous through time.
A low pressure trough stretching south from this low will move to
the Yukon Delta to McGrath by 4pm Fri...and to Point Hope to
McGrath by 4pm Sat. Will scattered showers along this trough as
well.

A thermal low pressure trough stretching from Point Hope to
Mcgrath to Northway will persist through tonight and then move to
Point Hope to Fairbanks to Chicken by 4pm Fri...then drifting
south to Point Hope to Denali to Northway by 4pm Sat. Will see
isolated afternoon showers near this feature. Will also have NE
winds 10-15g25kt over the Interior north of this trough. This will
cause near Red Flag conditions again today and Fri over the
northern and eastern Interior. Will see southerly gap flow winds
through Alaska Range passes today and Fri as the trough moves
north of the Alaska Range.

An Arctic front over the Arctic Coast will persist through Fri
and then move south to Eagle to Deadhorse by 4pm Sat. This will
bring much cooler temperatures to the eastern Interior Sat and
Sun.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Deterministic models initialize well and show similar solution
through Fri. Start to see differences Sat and Sun with the GFS
moving short waves north over the southern Interior while the ECMF
keeps them further south. For these reasons expect just chance of
showers into Sat and Sun.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...None.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A ridge of high pressure stretching from NW Canada across
Northern Alaska will build through Friday and then weaken slowly
this weekend and next week. This will keep conditions generally
hot and dry over the northern and eastern Interior through Fri
then cool over the weekend. Will have NE winds 10-15g25kt over
the Interior the northern and eastern Interior today and Fri.orth
This will cause near Red Flag conditions again today and Fri over
the northern and eastern Interior. Will see southerly gap flow
winds through Alaska Range passes today and Fri as the trough
moves north of the Alaska Range so expect near red Flag conditions
near Delta Junction area again today and Fri.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Rivers draining the Alaska Range and Brooks Range will be rising
through the weekend due to freezing levels rising to 10,000 ft
along the Brooks Range and to 12,000 ft along the Alaska Range by
Fri. Some rivers may rise up to their banks covering up gravel
bars by the weekend.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ225-PKZ230.

Gale Warning for PKZ225-PKZ230.

Brisk Wind Advisory for PKZ240-PKZ245.
&&

JB JUN 17

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 8, 12:10 PM AKDT, 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1210 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

AKZ221>226-102015-
Central Interior-Middle Tanana Valley-Deltana and Tanana Flats-
Upper Tanana Valley and the Fortymile Country-Denali-
Eastern Alaska Range-
Including Nenana, Anderson, Tanana, Minto, Manley Hot Springs,
Rampart, Lake Minchumina, Livengood, Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright,
Eielson AFB, Ester, North Pole, Moose Creek, Two Rivers, Fox,
Chatanika, Chena Hot Springs, Sourdough Camp, Salcha,
Delta Junction, Fort Greely, Harding/Birch Lake, Dry Creek,
Dot Lake, Healy Lake, Tok, Tanacross, Eagle, Tetlin, Northway,
Alcan, Chicken, Boundary, Healy, Denali National Park,
Carlo Creek, Kantishna, Mentasta Lake, Black Rapids,
Donnelly Dome, Trims DOT Camp, Eagle Trail, and Mineral Lake
1210 PM AKDT Thu Jun 8 2017

...Rising Water Levels on Rivers Draining the Alaska Range...

Warm temperatures this week will result in significant melting of
the high elevation snowpack in the Alaska Range and Wrangell
Mountains. Temperatures will rise above freezing up to the 10 to
12 thousand foot level in the mountains through Saturday.
Significant high elevation snow and glacial runoff will cause
rivers draining the Alaska Range and the Wrangell Mountains to
gradually rise into next week. This includes the Chisana,
Nabesna, Delta, Nenana, and Tanana rivers. Flooding is not
expected but many sand and gravel bars will be covered with water
early next week. In addition, some rivers will have increased
debris and may approach bankfull along low lying river banks.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Fairbanks, AK issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 8, 3:53 AM AKDTGale WarningAFG3 days
Jun 8, 2:23 PM AKDTBrisk Wind AdvisoryAFG62 hr
Jun 8, 2:33 PM AKDTGale WarningAFG14 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Alaska, 2017Every red flag warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.