Alert archive / Alaska / Red Flag Warnings in 2018

Red Flag Warning 4, NWS Fairbanks, AK

July 3, 2018

NWS Fairbanks, AK issued this red flag warning at Jul 3, 2018, 2:17 PM AKDT. It took effect at Jul 4, 2018, 12:00 PM AKDT. It was in force for 9 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
Jul 3, 2018, 2:17 PM AKDT (22:17 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 4, 2018, 12:00 PM AKDT
Expired
Jul 4, 2018, 9:29 PM AKDT
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Fairbanks, AK

The text

As transmitted.

526 
WWAK63 PAFG 032217
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
217 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

AKZ220-040630-
/O.NEW.PAFG.FW.W.0004.180704T2000Z-180705T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-
217 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 10 PM AKDT WEDNESDAY
FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon to 10 PM AKDT Wednesday.

* AFFECTED AREA...North of Circle.

* TIMING...Wednesday between noon and 10 pm. 

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

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...66 to 80.

* 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.

&&

$$
5 follow-up statements
320 
WWAK63 PAFG 032219
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
219 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

AKZ220-041600-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0004.180704T2000Z-180705T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-
219 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 10 PM AKDT
WEDNESDAY FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...North of Circle.

* TIMING...Wednesday between noon and 10 pm.

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

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...66 to 80.

* 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.

&&

$$
253 
WWAK63 PAFG 041218
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
418 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

AKZ220-042030-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0004.180704T2000Z-180705T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-
418 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM
AKDT THIS EVENING FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Yukon Flats.

* TIMING...Today between Noon and 10 pm.

* WINDS...West around 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...64 to 78.

* 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.

&&

$$
622 
WWAK63 PAFG 041220
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
420 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

AKZ220-050600-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0004.180704T2000Z-180705T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-
420 AM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM
AKDT THIS EVENING FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Yukon Flats.

* TIMING...Today between Noon and 10 pm.

* WINDS...West around 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...64 to 78.

* 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.

&&

$$
070 
WWAK63 PAFG 042128
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
128 PM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

AKZ220-050600-
/O.CON.PAFG.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180705T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-
128 PM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM AKDT THIS
EVENING FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING UPLANDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Yukon Flats.

* TIMING...Through 10 pm this evening.

* WINDS...West around 15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...70 to 80.

* 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.

&&

$$
511 
WWAK63 PAFG 050529
RFWAFG

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
929 PM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018



AKZ220-050630-
/O.CAN.PAFG.FW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-180705T0600Z/
Yukon Flats and Surrounding Uplands-
929 PM AKDT Wed Jul 4 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR YUKON FLATS AND SURROUNDING
UPLANDS...

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



$$

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 Jul 3, 4:20 AM AKDT, 9 hours 57 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 4:20 AM AKDT, 9 hours 57 minutes before
Northern Alaska Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
420 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

.DISCUSSION...
The ridge that has built in over much of the state will be the
driver of weather for most of the state this week. A low will
skirt across the Arctic over the top of the ridge, producing
inclement weather for the North Slope. The main weather concern
over the next few days will be the low pressure system moving
across the Arctic. Secondarily, fire weather is of slight concern
due to warming and drying from the ridge coupled with people
outdoors celebrating Independence Day. However, conditions are not
expected to dry too much, so this is of lesser concern.

Models generally agree with the solution through Thursday on the
overall pattern, then they begin to differ considerably going into
the weekend. All models have an upper level low coming into play
over the weekend for the Interior. However, the GFS exits this
low and builds ridging back in, while the ECMWF keeps the low as a
stronger presence through the weekend. As a result, not much
confidence in the long range right now.

Aloft...
The longwave ridge is building as expected from the south. This
ridge will remain the main influencer for the Interior and West
Coast the next few days. An upper level low moves south and east
across the Arctic the next couple of days, flattening the ridge
somewhat. The center of this low is expected to move along the
coast and past Demarcation Point Thursday afternoon. As is does
this a trough will push southeast through the Interior, cooling
temperatures and producing some showers and thunderstorms ahead
of it. Beyond this point in time is when models begin to diverge.

Surface...

Central and Eastern Interior...
High pressure will be the dominant feature until Thursday. Warm
and dry conditions will be present over the holiday as a result.
Conditions are not expected to dry to the point of meeting Red
Flag criteria. However, warming and drying will increase the fire
threat the next couple of days, so those going outdoors for the
holiday should be careful with open flames of any kind. The front
mentioned above is expected to push through the Interior on
Thursday afternoon, bringing some showers, thunderstorms and
cooler temperatures with it. It is not anticipated to be a major
weather producer though. Even with the high, some isolated
thunderstorms are possible today in the Eastern Brooks Range and
tomorrow in the southeast Interior.

West Coast and Western Interior...
The West Coast and Western Interior are pretty quiet when it comes
to major weather features with high pressure directly over them.
However, with high pressure in place this time of year, there is
persistent sea stratus and sea fog in areas immediately along the
coast. Rain showers will be present in the Southwest Interior and
in the Y-K Delta Wednesday and Thursday. The tail end of the front
that is expected to move southeast through the North Slope and
Interior Wednesday into Thursday will bring a few showers to the
Western Interior and West Coast as well, though it will quickly
die out as it goes. So, no major impacts for the West Coast.

North Slope and Brooks Range...
Inclement weather will be present the next few days with a low
pressure system working its way from west to east across the
North Slope. The low should impact the northwest coast today and
the eastern north slope tomorrow. Low ceilings, windy conditions
and showers are expected for most areas. Temperatures are warm
enough that precipitation should fall in the form of rain. Behind
the front, a tight pressure gradient will produce strong northwest
winds. The Brooks Range will also see rain from this system,
mainly in the central and eastern Brooks Range.

Coastal Hazard Potential Days 3 and 4...
Strong northerly winds may cause elevated surf in areas of the
northwest coast that is free of shore ice.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Isolated convection may be possible today in the Eastern Brooks
Range and tomorrow in the Southeast Interior. Otherwise thunderstorm
activity will quiet as a strong ridge will continue to build
through much of the state. This ridge will also produce warming
and drying throughout the Interior the next couple of days. One
area of concern is the Northeast Interior, mainly in the Yukon
Flats. We will need to keep an eye on possible Red Flag conditions
there for the next couple of days.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Periods of heavy precipitation that occurred in the Southeast
Interior over the weekend are still influencing river levels.
River levels are expected to remain high for the next several days
as the rain that fell continues to work its way through various
watersheds. Glacial melt with warming temperatures during the week
will also contribute to high water levels. Water is also expected
to remain over the Tetlin Road through the week.

&&

.AFG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Small Craft Advisory for PKZ210-PKZ220-PKZ225-PKZ235.

Gale Warning for PKZ230.
&&

BJB JUL 18

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 3, 9:12 AM AKDT, 5 hours 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
912 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

AKZ201>206-040000-
Western Arctic Coast-Northern Arctic Coast-
Central Beaufort Sea Coast-Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast-
Northwestern Brooks Range-Northeastern Brooks Range-
Including Wainwright, Atqasuk, Point Lay, Cape Lisburne, Barrow,
Alaktak, Pitt Point, Nulavik, Nuiqsut, Prudhoe Bay, Alpine,
Deadhorse, Kuparuk, Kaktovik, Flaxman Island, Singiluk, Umiat,
Anaktuvuk Pass, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake, Sagwon,
and Franklin Bluffs
912 AM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...Rare Thunderstorms Over the North Slope Today...

A series of weather fronts moving across the North Slope are
causing isolated thunderstorms this morning. Between 8am and 9am
this morning, there were lightning strikes recorded over the
Chukchi Sea west of Wainwright and over the North Slope south of
Point Thompson. More thunderstorms are expected through the day
across the North Slope, and could even occur along the coast at
locations such as Barrow and Prudhoe Bay.

JB
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 1:15 PM AKDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
115 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

AKZ224-052115-
Upper Tanana Valley and the Fortymile Country-
Including Tok, Tanacross, Eagle, Tetlin, Northway, Alcan,
Chicken, and Boundary
115 PM AKDT Tue Jul 3 2018

...High Water On Tetlin Road At Mile 6 Through Next Week...

Water remains over Tetlin Road near Mile 6, and is expect to
remain there for the next week.

The Tanana River near Tetlin will remain high through the
weekend, causing water to remain on the Tetlin Road for at least
the next week.

Residents should use caution in the area and monitor the river
conditions.

For the lasted river forecasts and information go to
www.weather.gov/aprfc or www.weather.gov.fairbanks

JB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 4:39 AM AKDTGale WarningAFG23 hr
Jul 3, 4:43 AM AKDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAFG23 hr
Jul 3, 2:44 PM AKDTHigh Wind WarningAFG35 hr
Jul 3, 3:00 PM AKDTGale WarningAFG13 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Alaska, 2018Every red flag warning in 2018

Sources

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