Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Phoenix, AZ

106 
WWUS85 KPSR 242149 CCA
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
249 PM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

AZZ132-251000-
/O.COR.KPSR.FW.W.0004.170425T2100Z-170426T0300Z/
Central Deserts-
249 PM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM MST TUESDAY FOR
STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR
MARICOPA COUNTY...PINAL COUNTY...LA PAZ COUNTY...

The National Weather Service in Phoenix has issued a Red Flag
Warning for strong winds, low relative humidity and High Fire
Danger, which is in effect from 2 PM to 8 PM MST Tuesday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Central Deserts...Including Maricopa
  County...Northwest Pinal County...and La Paz County.

* WINDS...Northwest to west at 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* TIMING...Strong winds will peak Tuesday afternoon and last
  through the evening from 2 PM to 8 PM MST Tuesday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent during the afternoon
  and evening.

* IMPACTS...Fuels are dry and fire danger is 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.

&&

$$

AZZ133-250200-
/O.CON.KPSR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-170425T0200Z/
Southern Gila County/Tonto National Forest Foothills-
249 PM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER 
FOR SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY AND THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Southern Gila County/Tonto National Forest 
  Foothills.

* WINDS...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* TIMING...Strong and gusty winds can be expected to develop by 
  late morning, peaking during the afternoon/early evening hours 
  and then tapering off by the mid evening hours.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...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 primarily affecting far southern portions of Gila 
  County.

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

282 
WWUS85 KPSR 250137
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
637 PM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

AZZ133-250245-
/O.EXP.KPSR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-170425T0200Z/
Southern Gila County/Tonto National Forest Foothills-
637 PM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR
SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY AND THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST...

The Red Flag Warning for Arizona fire weather zone 133, including
southern Gila County and the Tonto National Forest, will be 
allowed to expire at 7 PM MST. Sustained wind speeds of 15 to 20 
mph are still occurring, but with the loss of daytime heating, 
widespread red flag conditions are no longer expected.

$$

AZZ132-251345-
/O.CON.KPSR.FW.W.0004.170425T2100Z-170426T0300Z/
Central Deserts-
637 PM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM MST
TUESDAY FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE
DANGER FOR MARICOPA COUNTY...PINAL COUNTY...LA PAZ COUNTY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Central Deserts....including Maricopa
  County...Northwest Pinal County...and La Paz County.

* WINDS...Northwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* TIMING...Strong winds will peak Tuesday afternoon and last 
  through the evening from 2 PM to 8 PM MST Tuesday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fuels are dry and fire danger is 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

492 
WWUS85 KPSR 251144
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
444 AM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

AZZ132-252300-
/O.CON.KPSR.FW.W.0004.170425T2100Z-170426T0300Z/
Central Deserts-
444 AM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND
HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR MARICOPA COUNTY...NORTHWEST PINAL
COUNTY...AND LA PAZ COUNTY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Central Deserts including Maricopa county and
  the greater Phoenix area...northwest Pinal County and La Paz
  County.

* WINDS...West to northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph
  during the afternoon and early evening hours.

* TIMING...Strong winds will peak this afternoon and last through
  the evening from 2 PM to 8 PM MST today.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fuels are dry and fire danger is 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

968 
WWUS85 KPSR 252032
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
132 PM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

AZZ132-260200-
/O.EXT.KPSR.FW.W.0004.170425T2200Z-170426T0200Z/
Central Deserts-
132 PM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR
MARICOPA COUNTY, NORTHWEST PINAL COUNTY, AND LA PAZ COUNTY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Central Deserts including Maricopa county and
  the greater Phoenix area...northwest Pinal county and La Paz
  county.

* WINDS...West to northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* TIMING...Strong winds will peak this afternoon and last 
  through the evening from 2 PM to 8 PM MST today.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fuels are dry and fire danger is 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

866 
WWUS85 KPSR 260156
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
656 PM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

AZZ132-260400-
/O.EXT.KPSR.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-170426T0400Z/
Central Deserts-
656 PM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR 
MARICOPA COUNTY, NORTHWEST PINAL COUNTY, AND LA PAZ COUNTY...

* AFFECTED AREA...Central Deserts including Maricopa County and
  the greater Phoenix area...northwest Pinal County and La Paz
  County.

* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* TIMING...Strong winds will continue through 9 PM MST tonight.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS...Fuels are dry and fire danger is 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

956 
WWUS85 KPSR 260345
RFWPSR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Phoenix AZ
845 PM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

AZZ132-260445-
/O.EXP.KPSR.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-170426T0400Z/
Central Deserts-
845 PM MST Tue Apr 25 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR
STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR
MARICOPA COUNTY, NORTHWEST PINAL COUNTY, AND LA PAZ COUNTY...

Wind speeds are gradually decreasing across much of southwest and
south-central Arizona this evening, and the Red Flag Warning will
be allowed to expire at 9 PM MST. Locally gusty conditions may
still exist into early Wednesday morning, however. Relative
humidity recovery overnight is also expected to be poor, and will
maintain an elevated fire weather threat. 

$$

National Weather Service Phoenix is on the internet at

weather.gov/phoenix

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service phoenix AZ
837 AM MST Mon Apr 24 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
A gradual cooling trend will begin today with highs dipping back
to near normals into the coming weekend. Periods of mainly high
clouds can be expected along with breezy or even windy conditions
during the afternoon hours nearly every day this week. Dry
conditions will prevail aside from a slight chance of showers
across eastern Arizona on Friday as a fast moving low pressure
system passes through the region.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

A series of fast moving Pacific weather systems will continue to
flow through the western states this week, including parts of AZ.
One dry system moved through northern AZ last night, and weather
balloon data showed a cooler airmass will filter into the region
under northwesterly flow aloft. Another dry disturbance is forecast
to move across northern AZ later today with a weak dry cold front
through Phoenix this evening. Undoubtedly these disturbances will
result in cooler afternoon temperatures area-wide today, with
additional cooling Tuesday. Breezy west to northwest winds are also
expected through Tuesday. A Red Flag Warning continues today for our
mountain zone 24 east of Phoenix. Otherwise the current dry and
cooler forecasts look ok for now. No updates planned.

.Previous Discussion...530 AM MST...

A pattern change is underway as a strong polar upper level jet
has edged into the Western U.S. and will persist through Friday.
This will act to keep the Pacific ridge well to our west and keep
an overall troughing pattern in place across much of the Western
and Central U.S. For the Desert Southwest, this will result in a
cooler but a bit more active weather pattern. As the troughing
sets up today, highs will drop back mainly into the lower 90s
across the lower deserts. A weak shortwave trough will pass
through the Great Basin into Colorado today allowing for a
deepening surface low to our northeast while tightening the
pressure gradient over our region. This will bring another breezy
day to the area with widespread afternoon/early evening gusts
between 20-30 mph. The combination of very dry afternoon
humidities and windy conditions has prompted a Red Flag Warning
for southern Gila County.

A stronger shortwave trough will follow behind on Tuesday tracking
a bit further south this time across the Four Corners area. This
will lower our heights aloft even more allowing for more cooling
as highs dip back to near seasonal normals. Another breezy to
windy day will occur on Tuesday with gusts approaching wind
advisory levels from the Phoenix area eastward. A very marginal
amount of moisture will accompany this system, but only enough to
bring some high clouds and raise our surface dew points 5-10
degrees.

Once the Tuesday shortwave exits the region, weak ridging aloft
moves in for Wednesday allowing for a slight bump in temperatures,
and less windy conditions. Thursday looks to be a transition day
across the region as the ridge quickly flattens as it slides east
and a deeper upper level trough begins to sag southward through
the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Though there is still
quite a bit of model spread for Friday into the weekend, the
overall consensus shows a deeper trough digging southward through
the Central Rockies into the Desert Southwest. How far south and
west this trough will dig will likely depend on the interaction
with the Pacific ridge off the West Coast and the strength of the
upper level jet max that is shown to develop over the Great
Basin.

For now we are going with a solution that mainly brings the
developing 500mb closed low into the Four Corners area. This would
bring a rather dramatic cool down Friday into Saturday and should
result in at least a chance of showers (possibly a thunderstorm)
on Friday across eastern Arizona. Though moisture will be limited
to a thin layer between 700-600mb, rather cold mid level
temperatures resulting in steep lapse rates should be enough to
bring at least isolated to scattered showers across our eastern
high terrain Friday afternoon/evening. Friday will likely end up
being a rather windy day which may necessitate the need for a Wind
Advisory across much of the area as well as bringing elevated
fire danger conditions.

Though forecast confidence for the coming weekend is somewhat low
due to high model spread, it looks like temperatures should remain
well below 90 on Saturday with temperatures closer to normal on
Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION...
South-Central Arizona Including KPHX, KIWA, and KSDL:

Increasing westerly flow aloft will lead to breezy conditions across
the central deserts today; initially we will see typical diurnal east
winds at the TAF sites but later this morning winds will veer
towards the south then become southwest and gusty by 21Z with peak
gusts approaching 25kt at times. Winds to stay generally westerly
most of the night tonight before gradually returning to the
east/southeast Tuesday morning. Otherwise expect some high thin
cirrus moving overhead from time to time with SCT to BKN decks aoa
20k feet by late morning.

Southeast California/Southwest Arizona Including KIPL and KBLH:

Expect persistent west winds at KIPL all day and overnight tonight;
winds genly 8-15kt thru mid afternoon then picking up with sustained
winds above 18kt and gusts to around 30kt for most of the night
tonight. Winds at KBLH initially rather light/variable but picking
up from the south/southwest later this morning and becoming gusty
this afternoon and evening with peak southwest gusts in excess of 25
kt. Gusts should diminish by 05z or so but sustained southwest/west
winds to 15kt or so should persist most of the night. Otherwise
expect thin high cirrus moving overhead from time to time with SCT
to BKN decks aoa 20k feet during the TAF period.

Aviation discussion not updated for amended TAFs.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Wednesday through Sunday:
Temperatures will continue to hold above seasonal averages, but not
at readings as warm as the weekend through Wednesday along with
minimum RH values mostly below 15 percent as dry northwest flow aloft
persists over the area. After Wednesday, a gradual cooling trend
will settle into the region as mostly dry storm systems sweep
through the Great Basin and down through the Southwest. Outside of a
slight chance at some light showers over high terrain of Gila County
Friday into Saturday, widespread dry weather will cover the
districts. Dry afternoons with 5-15% will be common with overnight
humidities varying between mostly fair to good. Active storm track
through the West will keep afternoons breezy for the district, with
upslope west winds and occasional gusts possible through week's end.

There will be potential for widespread dangerous fire weather
conditions Friday into Saturday as windy conditions develop across
most of the area - especially south-central Arizona on Friday - and
minimum RH values drop into the single digits across much of the
lower desert. The cooling trend may help mitigate some of the fire
danger potential however but this is something to keep our eyes on
as we move towards the latter part of the week.

&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation will not be needed through the middle of next
week.

&&

.PSR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AZ...Red Flag Warning from 11 AM this morning to 7 PM MST this
     evening for AZZ133.
CA...Wind Advisory 2 PM PDT this afternoon until 7 AM Tuesday for
     CAZ562...566.

&&

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DISCUSSION...Vasquez/Kuhlman
AVIATION...CB
FIRE WEATHER...Nolte/CB