Alert archive / California / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 9, NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA

December 15, 20175 counties in California

NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA issued this red flag warning at Dec 15, 2017, 2:00 AM PST for 5 counties in California. It took effect at Dec 15, 2017, 10:00 PM PST. It was in force for 36 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
Dec 15, 2017, 2:00 AM PST (10:00 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 15, 2017, 10:00 PM PST
Expired
Dec 17, 2017, 10:00 AM PST
In force
36 hr
Issued by
NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Counties Monterey County, CA, San Benito County, CA, San Mateo County, CA, Santa Clara County, CA, Santa Cruz County, CA

The radar

The San Francisco radar (KMUX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:59 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

Oakland, CA (KOAK), launched 00:00Z, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 102 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, Oakland, CA at 00:00Z on 2017-12-15Temperature 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, Oakland, CA at 00:00Z on 2017-12-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -21 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
3250 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-21 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-67 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

164 
WWUS86 KMTR 151000
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
200 AM PST Fri Dec 15 2017

...Gusty northerly winds will combine with very low humidity
values Friday evening through Sunday morning...

.A dry system moving in from the north late on Friday will
produce a combination of gusty winds and low humidity values. Due
to these factors and the recently long stretch of warm and dry
conditions, a very elevated fire weather risk can be expected
particularly for higher elevation locations.

CAZ507-511-512-517-518-152200-
/O.UPG.KMTR.FW.A.0005.171216T0600Z-171217T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMTR.FW.W.0009.171216T0600Z-171217T1800Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
200 AM PST Fri Dec 15 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
PST SUNDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Red
Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM
PST Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 

* WIND...Northerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with local gusts over 
  50 mph. Strongest gusts will be over the North Bay Mountains 
  and East Bay Hills. 

* HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity readings of 10 to 20% during the
  day. Nighttime maximum humidity readings will likely recover
  early in the night then drop of 25 to 35%.

* HIGHEST THREAT...Elevations above 1000 ft, especially the North
  Mountains and East Bay Hills.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
5 follow-up statements
188 
WWUS86 KMTR 152121
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
121 PM PST Fri Dec 15 2017

...Gusty northerly winds will combine with very low humidity
values Friday evening through Sunday morning...

.A dry system moving in from the north late tonight will produce 
a combination of gusty winds and low humidity values. Due to these
factors and the recently long stretch of warm and dry conditions,
a very elevated fire weather risk can be expected particularly 
for higher elevation locations.

CAZ507-511-512-517-518-161200-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0009.171216T0600Z-171217T1800Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
121 PM PST Fri Dec 15 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
10 AM PST SUNDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* WIND...Northerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with local gusts over 
  50 mph. Strongest gusts will be over the North Bay Mountains 
  and East Bay Hills. 

* HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity readings of 10 to 20% during the 
  day. Nighttime maximum humidity readings will likely recover 
  early in the night then drop of 25 to 35%.

* HIGHEST THREAT...Elevations above 1000 ft, especially the 
  North Bay Mountains and East Bay Hills. 

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
201 
WWUS86 KMTR 161201
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
401 AM PST Sat Dec 16 2017

...Gusty northerly winds will combine with very low humidity
values through Sunday morning...

.A dry system moving through will produce a combination of gusty 
winds and low humidity values today and tonight. Due to these 
factors and the recently long stretch of warm and dry conditions, 
a very elevated fire weather risk can be expected particularly for
higher elevation locations.

CAZ507-511-512-517-518-170400-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-171217T1800Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
401 AM PST Sat Dec 16 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST SUNDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* WIND...Northerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with local gusts over 
  50 mph. Strongest gusts will be over the North Bay Mountains 
  and East Bay Hills. 

* HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity readings of 10 to 20% during the 
  day. Nighttime maximum humidity readings will likely recover 
  early in the night then drop of 25 to 35%.

* HIGHEST THREAT...Elevations above 1000 ft, especially the 
  North Bay Mountains and East Bay Hills.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
242 
WWUS86 KMTR 170351
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
751 PM PST Sat Dec 16 2017

...Gusty northerly winds will combine with very low humidity
values through Sunday morning...

.A dry system moving through will produce a combination of gusty
winds and low humidity values today and tonight. Due to these
factors and the recently long stretch of warm and dry conditions,
a very elevated fire weather risk can be expected particularly
for higher elevation locations.

CAZ507-511-512-517-518-171200-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-171217T1800Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
751 PM PST Sat Dec 16 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST SUNDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* WIND...Northerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with local gusts over 
  50 mph. Strongest gusts will be over the North Bay Mountains 
  and East Bay Hills. 

* HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity readings of 10 to 20% during the
  day. Nighttime maximum humidity readings will likely recover
  early in the night then drop to 25 to 35%.

* HIGHEST THREAT...Elevations above 1000 ft, especially in the 
  North Bay Mountains and East Bay Hills.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
434 
WWUS86 KMTR 171018
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area
218 AM PST Sun Dec 17 2017

...Gusty northerly winds will continue to combine with low 
humidity values through Sunday morning...

.High pressure rapidly building into the Great Basin this morning
is resulting in a strong offshore pressure gradient and a 
combination of gusty winds and low humidity values. Due to these 
factors and the recent long stretch of warm and dry conditions, a
very elevated fire weather risk exists particularly for higher 
elevation locations.

CAZ507-511-512-517-518-171800-
/O.CON.KMTR.FW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-171217T1800Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
218 AM PST Sun Dec 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS
MORNING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

* WIND...Northerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with local gusts over 
  50 mph. Strongest gusts will be over the North Bay Mountains 
  and East Bay Hills. 

* HUMIDITY...Overnight maximum humidity readings will likely be
  confined to the 20 to 30% range.

* HIGHEST THREAT...Elevations above 1000 ft, especially in the 
  North Bay Mountains and East Bay Hills.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
  Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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 can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$
944 
WWUS86 KMTR 171754
RFWMTR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
954 AM PST Sun Dec 17 2017

...Red Flag Warning will expire at 10 am PST...

CAZ507-511-512-517-518-171900-
/O.EXP.KMTR.FW.W.0009.000000T0000Z-171217T1800Z/
North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
Santa Cruz Mountains-
Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
Including Pinnacles National Park-
954 AM PST Sun Dec 17 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 AM PST THIS MORNING FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 507,
511, 512, 517, AND 518...

Northerly winds will continue to decrease through the rest of the
day across the higher elevations of the San Francisco Bay Area.
This will help to improve fire weather conditions throughout the 
area. Despite the decreasing winds, relative humidity values will 
remain low this afternoon. Residents should remain mindful of the 
continued dry conditions, and to report new fires immediately to 
law enforcement.

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS San Francisco Bay Area, CA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 14, 8:56 PM PSTGale WarningMTR54 hr
Dec 15, 2:17 PM PSTSmall Craft AdvisoryMTR36 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in California, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.