Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2018
Red Flag Warning 7, NWS Tucson, AZ
NWS Tucson, AZ issued this red flag warning at Apr 12, 2018, 3:27 AM MST for 6 counties in Arizona. It took effect at Apr 13, 2018, 10:00 AM MST. 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
- Apr 12, 2018, 3:27 AM MST (10:27 UTC)
- In effect from
- Apr 13, 2018, 10:00 AM MST
- Expired
- Apr 13, 2018, 7:00 PM MST
- In force
- 9 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Tucson, AZ
Counties Cochise County, AZ, Graham County, AZ, Greenlee County, AZ, Pima County, AZ, Pinal County, AZ, Santa Cruz County, AZ
The radar
The Tucson radar (KEMX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 10:32 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
Tuscon, AZ (KDMA), launched 00:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 49 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 5572 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 25 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 24 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
460 WWUS85 KTWC 121027 RFWTWC URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 327 AM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING AND AGAIN FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEAST ARIZONA DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER... .A strong storm system will move across the area today through Friday. Very strong west to southwest winds will develop later today and continue well into the evening which combined with RHs less than 15 percent and dry fuels will create critical fire conditions across southeast Arizona. Wind gusts later today will reach 40+ mph across the valleys and 60+ mph across the mountain tops. This storm system will also produce gusty west to northwest winds Friday afternoon with very low RH levels resulting in critical fire weather conditions mainly east of Tucson. However, areas of critical fire weather conditions are possible Tucson westward Friday, especially over higher terrain. AZZ151>153-122300- /O.UPG.KTWC.FW.A.0007.180413T1900Z-180414T0300Z/ /O.NEW.KTWC.FW.W.0007.180413T1700Z-180414T0200Z/ /O.EXT.KTWC.FW.W.0006.180412T1800Z-180413T0400Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151 Eastern Pima County-Southeastern Pinal County- Santa Cruz County-Western Cochise County- Coronado NF-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152 Southern Greenlee County-Central and Eastern Cochise County- Southern Graham County-Southern San Carlos Apache Nation- Arizona Fire Weather Zone 153 Northern Graham County-Northern Greenlee County- White and Gila Mountains-Apache Sitgreaves NF-SDC- 327 AM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152 AND 153... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM MST FRIDAY FOR STRONG WINDS, VERY LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152 AND 153... The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM to 7 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced by the Red Flag Warning. * AFFECTED AREA...The Warnings affect all of Fire Weather Zones 151, 152 and 153 today and Friday. On Friday the main emphasis is on areas east of Tucson. * TIMING...The Red Flag Warning today is in effect from 11 AM MST through 9 PM MST this evening. The Red Flag Warning Friday is in effect from 10 AM MST through 7 PM MST. * WINDS...For today...sustained 20-foot southwest to west winds will increase late this morning peaking around 20-35 mph with gusts near 45 mph in the valleys and 35-45 mph with gusts to 65 mph in the mountains, mainly ridges well above 5000 ft. Winds are expected to slowly diminish below critical thresholds this evening although remain gusty through the night. On Friday, winds will be from the west-northwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts near 40 mph. The strongest winds will be in the upper Gila River Valley near Safford and locations above 5000 ft. Speeds are expected to diminish below critical thresholds Friday evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity levels will lower into the 8 to 14 percent range this afternoon. Minimum humidity will be lower on Friday, generally 4 to 10 percent across the lower elevations and 10 and 15 percent in the mountains. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control. * FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch for portions of Southeast Arizona. && PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire growth. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona. && $$ AZZ150-122300- /O.NEW.KTWC.FW.W.0007.180413T1700Z-180414T0200Z/ /O.EXT.KTWC.FW.W.0006.180412T1800Z-180413T0400Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150 Western Pima County-South Central Pinal County- Tohono O'Odham Nation-TDC- 327 AM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 150... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM MST FRIDAY FOR STRONG WINDS, VERY LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 150... * AFFECTED AREA...Widespread across all of Fire Weather Zone 150 today and more spotty in coverage in zone 150 on Friday. * TIMING...From 11 AM MST this morning through 9 PM MST this evening and Friday from 10 AM MST through 7 PM MST in the evening. * WINDS...Sustained 20-foot westerly winds will increase during the late morning and peak around 20-30 mph with gusts near 45 mph in the afternoon. Wind speeds will diminish below critical thresholds late this evening. Winds on Friday will be in the 10-25 mph range with gusts to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity levels will lower to 4 to 10 percent during the afternoon and early evening hours both days. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly and will be difficult to control. * FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire growth. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona. && $$ Cerniglia Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
5 follow-up statements
367 WWUS85 KTWC 122122 RFWTWC URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 222 PM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING AND AGAIN FRIDAY FROM LATE MORNING INTO EARLY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST ARIZONA DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER... .Very strong west to southwest winds will continue into the evening which combined with humidities less than 15 percent and dry fuels will create critical fire conditions across southeast Arizona. Wind gusts 40 to 45 mph across the valleys and 55 to 65 mph across the mountain tops will be common. Gusty west to northwest winds are forecast Friday afternoon with very low humidities resulting in critical fire weather conditions mainly east of Tucson. However, critical fire weather conditions are possible Tucson westward Friday, especially over higher terrain. AZZ150>153-130400- /O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180413T0400Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0007.180413T1700Z-180414T0200Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150 Western Pima County-South Central Pinal County- Tohono O'Odham Nation-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151 Eastern Pima County-Southeastern Pinal County- Santa Cruz County-Western Cochise County- Coronado NF-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152 Southern Greenlee County-Central and Eastern Cochise County- Southern Graham County-Southern San Carlos Apache Nation- Arizona Fire Weather Zone 153 Northern Graham County-Northern Greenlee County- White and Gila Mountains-Apache Sitgreaves NF-SDC- 222 PM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152 AND 153... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM MST FRIDAY FOR STRONG WINDS, VERY LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152 AND 153... * AFFECTED AREA...The Warnings affect all of Fire Weather Zones 151, 152 and 153 today and Friday. On Friday the main emphasis is on areas east of Tucson. * TIMING...The Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MST this evening. The Red Flag Warning Friday is in effect from 10 AM MST through 7 PM MST. * WINDS...Sustained 20-foot southwest to west winds will continue at 20-35 mph with gusts near 45 mph in the valleys and 35-45 mph with gusts to 65 mph in the mountains, especially ridges well above 5000 ft. Winds are expected to slowly diminish below critical thresholds late this evening although remain gusty through the night. On Friday, winds will be from the west- northwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts near 40 mph. The strongest winds will be in the upper Gila River Valley near Safford and locations above 5000 ft. Speeds are expected to diminish below critical thresholds Friday evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity levels between 8 to 14 percent in the valleys and 11 to 16 percent in the mountains will continue into this evening. Minimum humidity will be lower on Friday, generally 4 to 10 percent across the lower elevations and 9 to 14 percent in the mountains. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control. * FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire growth. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
814 WWUS85 KTWC 130403 RFWTWC URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 903 PM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN FRIDAY FROM LATE MORNING INTO EARLY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST ARIZONA DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER... .Gusty west to northwest winds are forecast Friday afternoon with very low humidities resulting in critical fire weather conditions mainly east of Tucson. However, critical fire weather conditions are possible Tucson westward Friday, especially over higher terrain. AZZ150>153-131400- /O.EXP.KTWC.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-180413T0400Z/ /O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0007.180413T1700Z-180414T0200Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150 Western Pima County-South Central Pinal County- Tohono O'Odham Nation-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151 Eastern Pima County-Southeastern Pinal County- Santa Cruz County-Western Cochise County- Coronado NF-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152 Southern Greenlee County-Central and Eastern Cochise County- Southern Graham County-Southern San Carlos Apache Nation- Arizona Fire Weather Zone 153 Northern Graham County-Northern Greenlee County- White and Gila Mountains-Apache Sitgreaves NF-SDC- 903 PM MST Thu Apr 12 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM MST FRIDAY FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 151, 152 AND 153... * AFFECTED AREA...The Warnings affect all of Fire Weather Zones 151, 152 and 153 Friday with the main emphasis on areas east of Tucson. * TIMING...The Red Flag Warning Friday is in effect from 10 AM MST through 7 PM MST. * WINDS...On Friday, winds will be from the west- northwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts near 40 mph. The strongest winds will be in the upper Gila River Valley near Safford and locations above 5000 ft. Speeds are expected to diminish below critical thresholds Friday evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity Friday will generally be 4 to 10 percent across the lower elevations and 9 to 14 percent in the mountains. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control. * FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire growth. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
539 WWUS85 KTWC 131018 RFWTWC URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 318 AM MST Fri Apr 13 2018 ...A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE MORNING INTO EARLY EVENING FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST ARIZONA DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER... .Gusty west to northwest winds are expected today with very low humidities resulting in critical fire weather conditions. AZZ150>153-132300- /O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0007.180413T1700Z-180414T0200Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150 Western Pima County-South Central Pinal County- Tohono O'Odham Nation-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151 Eastern Pima County-Southeastern Pinal County- Santa Cruz County-Western Cochise County- Coronado NF-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152 Southern Greenlee County-Central and Eastern Cochise County- Southern Graham County-Southern San Carlos Apache Nation- Arizona Fire Weather Zone 153 Northern Graham County-Northern Greenlee County- White and Gila Mountains-Apache Sitgreaves NF-SDC- 318 AM MST Fri Apr 13 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 150, 151, 152 AND 153... * AFFECTED AREA...Most of southeast Arizona including Fire Weather Zones 150, 151, 152 and 153. * TIMING...The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 AM MST this morning through 7 PM MST this evening. * WINDS...Winds will be from the west to northwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 40 and 45 mph. The strongest winds will be in the upper Gila River Valley near Safford and locations above 5000 ft. Wind speeds are expected to diminish below critical thresholds this evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity will generally be 4 to 10 percent across the lower elevations and 7 to 14 percent in the mountains. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control. * FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire growth. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
258 WWUS85 KTWC 132153 RFWTWC URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 253 PM MST Fri Apr 13 2018 ...A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT INTO EARLY EVENING FOR MOST OF SOUTHEAST ARIZONA DUE TO STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER... .Gusty west to northwest winds are occurring today with very low humidities resulting in critical fire weather conditions. AZZ150>153-140200- /O.CON.KTWC.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-180414T0200Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150 Western Pima County-South Central Pinal County- Tohono O'Odham Nation-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151 Eastern Pima County-Southeastern Pinal County- Santa Cruz County-Western Cochise County- Coronado NF-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152 Southern Greenlee County-Central and Eastern Cochise County- Southern Graham County-Southern San Carlos Apache Nation- Arizona Fire Weather Zone 153 Northern Graham County-Northern Greenlee County- White and Gila Mountains-Apache Sitgreaves NF-SDC- 253 PM MST Fri Apr 13 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 150, 151, 152, AND 153... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zone 150.Fire weather zone 151.Fire weather zone 152.Fire weather zone 153. * TIMING...The Red Flag Warning is in effect through 7 PM MST this evening. * WINDS...Winds are from the west to northwest at 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 40 and 45 mph. Wind speeds are expected to diminish below critical thresholds this evening. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity is between 3 and 5 percent across the lower elevations and 6 to 12 percent in the mountains. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop or are ongoing will have the potential to spread rapidly and be difficult to control. * FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA...Visit weather.gov/Tucson and click on the Detailed Hazards Icon. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and dry vegetation will create the potential for rapid and erratic fire growth. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of the Red Flag Warning for portions of Southeast Arizona. && $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
870 WWUS85 KTWC 140152 RFWTWC URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Tucson AZ 652 PM MST Fri Apr 13 2018 AZZ150>153-140300- /O.EXP.KTWC.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-180414T0200Z/ Arizona Fire Weather Zone 150 Western Pima County-South Central Pinal County- Tohono O'Odham Nation-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 151 Eastern Pima County-Southeastern Pinal County- Santa Cruz County-Western Cochise County- Coronado NF-TDC-Arizona Fire Weather Zone 152 Southern Greenlee County-Central and Eastern Cochise County- Southern Graham County-Southern San Carlos Apache Nation- Arizona Fire Weather Zone 153 Northern Graham County-Northern Greenlee County- White and Gila Mountains-Apache Sitgreaves NF-SDC- 652 PM MST Fri Apr 13 2018 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR VERY STRONG WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY AND A HIGH FIRE DANGER FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 150, 151, 152, AND 153... Wind speeds continue to diminish early this evening. Therefore, the Red Flag Warning was allowed to expire at 7 PM MST. $$ Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
The office that day
Everything else NWS Tucson, AZ issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 3:28 AM MST | Freeze Watch | TWC | Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 33 hr |
| Apr 12, 11:08 AM MST | Blowing Dust Advisory | TWC | Cochise, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz | 9 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.