Alert archive / Nevada / Red Flag Warnings in 2020

Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Reno, NV

July 15, 2020Madera County, Mono County, California; Douglas County, Lyon County, Mineral County, Nevada

NWS Reno, NV issued this red flag warning at Jul 15, 2020, 9:33 AM PDT for Madera County, Mono County, California; Douglas County, Lyon County, Mineral County, Nevada. It took effect at Jul 16, 2020, 2:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 5 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 15, 2020, 9:33 AM PDT (16:33 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 16, 2020, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Jul 16, 2020, 7:14 PM PDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Reno, NV

Counties Madera County, CA, Mono County, CA, Douglas County, NV, Lyon County, NV, Mineral County, NV

The radar

The Reno radar (KRGX), 161 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:36 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 16, 3:35 PM PDTTSTM WND GST 49Minden Airport, NVAWOS STATION KMEV MINDEN.
Jul 16, 3:38 PM PDTTSTM WND GST 505 Ese Gardnerville, NVMESONET STATION FISN2 FISH SPRINGS.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Reno, NV (KREV), launched 12:00Z, 4.6 hours before the alert went out and 162 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, Reno, NV at 12:00Z on 2020-07-15Temperature 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, Reno, NV at 12:00Z on 2020-07-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -3 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
3282 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
136 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

673 
WWUS85 KREV 151633
RFWREV

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Reno NV
933 AM PDT Wed Jul 15 2020

CAZ274-NVZ421-161400-
/O.UPG.KREV.FW.A.0013.200716T2100Z-200717T0400Z/
/O.NEW.KREV.FW.W.0013.200716T2100Z-200717T0400Z/
Southern Mono County-
Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, Southern
Lyon, and Western Mineral Counties-
933 AM PDT Wed Jul 15 2020

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT THURSDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS FOR SOUTHERN MONO COUNTY
AND THE SOUTHERN SIERRA FRONT...

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds, which is in
effect from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is
no longer in effect.

* Changes...Fire Weather Watch Thursday has been upgraded to a Red
  Flag Warning.

* Affected Area...Fire Zone 274 Southern Mono County, Fire Zone 
  421 Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, 
  Southern Lyon and and Western Mineral Counties.

* Thunderstorms...Isolated thunderstorms this afternoon will
  become more scattered for Thursday afternoon and evening. 
  Storms will be a hybrid mix of wet and dry, however with recent 
  unusual low humidity, vegetation could be extra receptive to new
  lightning caused fire starts.

* Outflow Winds...Outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible
  with any storms.

* Confidence...Confidence with this scenario is medium-high. We
  are confident in the storms, but not sure just how many strikes
  outside the cores will occur.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in
  size and intensity. These storms could also produce heavy rains
  directly under the cores, which could result in debris flows
  downstream of recent burn areas.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

CAZ271-272-278-NVZ420-161400-
/O.CON.KREV.FW.A.0013.200716T2100Z-200717T0400Z/
Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, Eastern Sierra, and Eastern
Nevada Counties-Greater Lake Tahoe Area-Eastern Lassen County-
Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey,
Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties-
933 AM PDT Wed Jul 15 2020

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW
WINDS FOR THE LAKE TAHOE BASIN, SIERRA FRONT, AND THE EASTERN
SIERRA...

* Changes...None.

* Affected Area...Fire Zone 271 Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, 
  Eastern Sierra, and Eastern Nevada Counties, Fire Zone 272 
  Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Fire Zone 278 Eastern Lassen County, 
  Fire Zone 420 Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, 
  Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon and and Far 
  Southern Lassen Counties.

* Thunderstorms...Isolated thunderstorms are forecast this
  afternoon and again Thursday afternoon with more coverage
  possible Thursday. Storms will be a hybrid mix of wet and dry, 
  however with recent unusual low humidity, vegetation could be 
  extra receptive to new lightning caused fire starts.

* Outflow Winds...Outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible
  with any storms.

* Confidence...Confidence with this scenario is medium.
  Thunderstorms coverage is still questionable, as well as just
  how wet or dry the storms will be.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in
  size and intensity. These storms could also produce heavy rains
  directly under the cores, which could result in debris flows 
  downstream of recent burn areas such as the Poeville and Numbers
  Fires.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

http://weather.gov/reno
2 follow-up statements
907 
WWUS85 KREV 161018
RFWREV

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Reno NV
318 AM PDT Thu Jul 16 2020

CAZ271-272-278-NVZ420-161130-
/O.CAN.KREV.FW.A.0013.200716T2100Z-200717T0400Z/
Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, Eastern Sierra, and Eastern
Nevada Counties-Greater Lake Tahoe Area-Eastern Lassen County-
Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey,
Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties-
318 AM PDT Thu Jul 16 2020

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG
OUTFLOW WINDS FOR THE LAKE TAHOE BASIN, SIERRA FRONT, AND THE
EASTERN SIERRA...

The National Weather Service in Reno has cancelled the Fire
Weather Watch.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected today but not widespread 
enough to upgrade to a warning.

$$

CAZ274-NVZ421-170400-
/O.CON.KREV.FW.W.0013.200716T2100Z-200717T0400Z/
Southern Mono County-
Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, Southern
Lyon, and Western Mineral Counties-
318 AM PDT Thu Jul 16 2020

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS
FOR SOUTHERN MONO COUNTY AND THE SOUTHERN SIERRA FRONT...

* Changes...none.

* Affected Area...Fire Zone 274 Southern Mono County, Fire Zone 
  421 Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, 
  Southern Lyon and and Western Mineral Counties.

* Thunderstorms...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms this
  afternoon and evening. Storms will be a hybrid mix of wet and
  dry. However, with recent unusually low humidity, vegetation 
  could be extra receptive to new lightning caused fire starts.

* Outflow Winds...Outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph will be  
  possible with any storms.

* Confidence...Confidence with this scenario is medium-high. We
  are confident in the storms but not sure just how many strikes
  outside cores will occur.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in
  size and intensity. These storms could also produce heavy rains
  directly under the cores which could result in debris flows 
  downstream of recent burn areas.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

Hoon

http://weather.gov/reno
129 
WWUS85 KREV 170214
RFWREV

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Reno NV
714 PM PDT Thu Jul 16 2020

CAZ274-NVZ421-170315-
/O.CAN.KREV.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-200717T0400Z/
Southern Mono County-
Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, Southern
Lyon, and Western Mineral Counties-
714 PM PDT Thu Jul 16 2020

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG
OUTFLOW WINDS FOR SOUTHERN MONO COUNTY AND THE SOUTHERN SIERRA
FRONT...

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

The thunderstorm threat has ended for today other than a chance
for outflow winds up to 40 mph. Scattered thunderstorms return 
tomorrow afternoon and evening but with more rain. Thus...isolated
dry strikes are expected tomorrow which should be a less critical
threat for new fire starts but could be a bigger flash flood
threat.

$$

http://weather.gov/reno

The office that day

Everything else NWS Reno, NV issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 15, 3:43 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementREVAlpine47 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Nevada, 2020Red Flag Warnings in California, 2020Every red flag warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.